under a curse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under a curse" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts involving magic, folklore, or metaphorical situations where someone is believed to be affected negatively by a spell or bad luck. An example: "He felt as if he were under a curse, unable to escape his misfortunes." Alternative expressions include "cursed" and "afflicted by a curse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Lilliet believes that she operates under a curse, that before long her voice, too, will break down.

The New Yorker

But the last two years, Mr. Goodwin, a tall, taciturn West Virginian, has seemed to be laboring under a curse.

The New York Times

A novel-length narrative about a boy under a curse that prevents him from aging beyond 17.

The New York Times - Books

I am perfectly willing to believe the Red Sox labored under a curse after letting Babe Ruth go to the Yankees for the 1920 season.

The New York Times

So it seems fitting that the hero and narrator of Maxwell's new novel-length "tale in verse," "Time's Fool," lives under a curse, unable to age beyond 17.

The New York Times - Books

Even now, the mystique of the hijras is enough to frighten debtors into paying up to avoid being put under a curse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

In 2008, Prime Minister Singh declared under-nutrition "a curse we must remove," and he reaffirmed that commitment after his re-election.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even the Chicago Cubs, nearly a full century since their last World Series triumph, have not labored under as enduring a curse.

The New York Times

Yunior (who seems very much like the Yunior who appeared in some of Mr. Díaz's short stories) begins to think that Oscar may be living under a family curse, "a high-level fukú" not unlike the curse on the House of Atreus, which has doomed him, like his mother, to lasting unhappiness in love.

The New York Times - Books

(In one, a house labors under a Gypsy curse).

The New Yorker

The people of Igloolik suffer under a shamanic curse that causes bad luck and dissension in their midst.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "curse". It implies a deliberate act or supernatural force causing misfortune. If the situation involves general bad luck without a clear cause, alternatives like "plagued by bad luck" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid overusing "under a curse" to describe situations that are simply unfortunate or the result of poor choices. A curse implies an external, often supernatural, force at work, not just random chance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under a curse" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a state of being affected by a supernatural or malevolent influence. Ludwig examples show it describing individuals, families, and even objects believed to be subject to such influence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under a curse" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a state of misfortune attributed to a supernatural or external force. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki sources. While alternative phrases like "cursed" or "afflicted by a curse" exist, "under a curse" offers a specific nuance by highlighting the ongoing influence of the curse. When using the phrase, consider whether the context warrants the implication of a supernatural cause or if general misfortune is more accurate. The presence of the phrase in authoritative sources confirms its validity and widespread understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cursed

This is a single-word adjective that directly expresses the state of being affected by a curse.

afflicted by a curse

This alternative uses more formal language to convey a similar meaning, emphasizing the negative impact of the curse.

subject to a hex

This phrase uses the word 'hex' as a synonym for 'curse', implying a magical or supernatural cause.

burdened by a jinx

This alternative suggests a less severe or more playful form of bad luck, often associated with sports or games.

ill-fated

This term indicates that someone or something is destined for misfortune or failure, often without a specific cause being identified.

doomed

This word suggests an inevitable and often tragic outcome, implying a lack of escape from a negative fate.

plagued by bad luck

This phrase focuses on the recurring nature of negative events, rather than a specific curse.

haunted by misfortune

This option suggests that someone is persistently followed by negative events, almost as if pursued by a ghost.

experiencing a run of bad luck

This phrase highlights the temporary nature of the misfortune, suggesting it is a period of difficulty that will eventually end.

beset by troubles

This alternative focuses on the presence of numerous problems or difficulties, without necessarily attributing them to a curse.

FAQs

How can I use "under a curse" in a sentence?

You can use "under a curse" to describe someone or something experiencing persistent misfortune, often attributed to a supernatural or external force. For example, "The family believed they were "cursed" and lived "under a curse" after an ancestor's misdeed.".

What's the difference between "under a curse" and "cursed"?

"Under a curse" is a prepositional phrase that describes the state of being affected by a curse. "Cursed" is an adjective that directly describes someone or something as being subject to a curse. "He was "cursed"" is a concise alternative to "He was "under a curse"."

Are there more formal alternatives to "under a curse"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "afflicted by a curse" or "subject to a malediction" in more formal writing. These options emphasize the negative impact and often imply a more serious or literary context.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "under a curse"?

It's inappropriate to use "under a curse" when describing situations that are simply unfortunate or the result of natural causes or poor choices. A curse implies a supernatural or deliberate act causing misfortune, not just random bad luck.