suffers from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffers from" is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use this phrase when discussing someone or something that experiences some sort of physical, mental, or emotional ailment. For example: "John suffers from chronic back pain due to a traumatic work-related injury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

India suffers from stagflation.

The Economist

Pamela suffers from vertigo.

The New York Times

He suffers from the dust.

The New Yorker

It suffers from two handicaps.

The Economist

He suffers from urban ennui.

Independent

His father suffers from emphysema.

The New Yorker

She suffers from dementia.

The Washington Post

Everyone suffers from it.

The New York Times - Books

Suffers from bad atmospheric conditions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Hawking, 71, suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease.

Independent

Mr. Delling suffers from severe paranoid schizophrenia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "suffers from" to denote an ongoing or chronic issue, rather than a one-time event. This reinforces the idea of continuous adversity or hardship.

Common error

Avoid using "suffers from" for minor inconveniences or trivial problems. This phrase implies a significant negative impact, so reserving it for substantial issues maintains its gravity and avoids exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffers from" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject is experiencing a negative condition or ailment. Ludwig provides many examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, affirming its role in expressing adversity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

27%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suffers from" is a versatile expression used to describe a wide range of negative conditions affecting individuals, entities, or systems. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Its primary function is to convey that someone or something is experiencing distress or hardship due to a particular ailment or problem.

While "suffers from" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, it's crucial to avoid overusing it for trivial matters. Opting for more neutral or specific terms may be more suitable depending on the context, but generally "suffers from" is acceptable and indicates a significant negative impact. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Scientific and Academic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is afflicted with

Emphasizes a more formal and often medical connotation of being affected by something.

is plagued by

Suggests a persistent and troublesome problem that causes significant difficulties.

is impaired by

Focuses on the reduction or weakening of a particular function or ability.

is burdened by

Highlights the weight or difficulty caused by a particular issue or problem.

is compromised by

Highlights the weakening or damaging of a system, quality, or attribute.

is a victim of

Implies a sense of injustice or misfortune in relation to the condition or situation.

is troubled by

Focuses on the distress or worry caused by a particular condition or situation.

is susceptible to

Indicates a vulnerability or predisposition to a particular condition or influence.

experiences

A more general term, applicable to a wide range of negative conditions, not just ailments.

is affected by

A broader term indicating influence or impact, which may or may not be negative.

FAQs

How do I use "suffers from" in a sentence?

Use "suffers from" to indicate that someone or something is experiencing a negative condition, such as a disease, a problem, or a disadvantage. For example, "He "suffers from anxiety"" or "The economy "suffers from inflation"".

What are some alternatives to "suffers from"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is afflicted with", "is burdened by", or simply "experiences". Choose the alternative that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "suffers from" in formal writing?

Yes, "suffers from" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider the tone and audience. In some cases, a more neutral phrase like "experiences" might be preferable, but "suffers from" is generally acceptable and indicates a significant negative impact.

What's the difference between "suffers from" and "has" when describing a condition?

"Has" is a more neutral term that simply indicates possession of something, while "suffers from" implies that the condition is causing distress or difficulty. For example, saying someone "has a cold" is different from saying they "suffers from a cold", which suggests the cold is significantly affecting them.