to be affected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be affected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the impact or influence of something on a person, situation, or object. Example: "The community was concerned about how the new policy would be affected by the upcoming changes in legislation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Britain is bound to be affected.

Independent

"Especially Europe is likely to be affected".

The New York Times

It's difficult not to be affected.

The Guardian - Film

Are those neighbourhoods going to be affected?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And British citizens began to be affected.

The Guardian

-Who is at risk to be affected by this contaminant?

The New York Times

Ms. Hoffbauer continues to be affected by the terrorist attacks.

The New York Times - Arts

His lifestyle is unlikely to be affected in the slightest.

The New York Times

"Native communities are always just the first to be affected.

The Guardian

Neighborhoods with commercial areas are most likely to be affected.

The New York Times

"We have lost our ability to be affected by imagery".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be affected", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the effect. Clarity helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "effect" as a verb. "Affect" is the verb that means to influence, while "effect" is usually a noun meaning a result or consequence. Remember: "affect" is an action, "effect" is the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be affected" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject is receiving an action or influence, rather than performing it. Ludwig shows its common use in describing how entities are impacted by external factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be affected" is a versatile and commonly used passive verb construction, indicating that a subject is experiencing an impact or influence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When writing, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding the cause of the effect and avoid confusing "affect" with "effect". Consider using alternatives like "to be impacted" or "to be influenced" for nuanced meanings or formal tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be impacted

Focuses more on the force or degree of influence exerted.

to be influenced

Emphasizes the change in opinion or behavior as a result of something.

to be altered

Highlights the change in the original state of something.

to be changed

A more general term for becoming different.

to be touched

Implies a more emotional or sensitive impact.

to be reached

Suggests accessibility or vulnerability to influence.

to be swayed

Specifically refers to a change in opinion or decision.

to be determined

Emphasizes the result of external conditions.

to be shaped

Implies a more formative or long-lasting impact.

to be molded

Suggests a more dramatic or fundamental transformation.

FAQs

How can I use "to be affected" in a sentence?

Use "to be affected" to describe how something or someone is influenced or changed by something else. For example, "The community was expected "to be affected" by the new policy."

What's a formal alternative to "to be affected"?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "to be impacted" or "to be influenced" to maintain a professional tone.

Which is correct, "to be affected" or "to be effected"?

"To be affected" is correct when you want to say something is influenced. "To be effected" means to be brought about or caused to happen, which has a different meaning.

Is "to be affected by" the same as "to be influenced by"?

While similar, "to be influenced by" often implies a change in opinion or behavior, whereas "to be affected by" can refer to any kind of impact, whether emotional, physical, or otherwise. The nuance is different.