was afflicted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was afflicted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has been affected by a negative condition, such as illness or hardship. Example: "He was afflicted with a rare disease that made it difficult for him to walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Biden was afflicted with regret.

The New York Times - Magazine

His life was afflicted with tragedies.

The New Yorker

The writer was afflicted with asthma.

The New Yorker

Mr. Trump could not recall which foot was afflicted.

The New York Times

In old age Menendez was afflicted with Parkinson's Disease.

Independent

(Poor Tom Sawyer was afflicted by it in the classroom).

The New Yorker

From a young age Bocelli was afflicted with congenital glaucoma.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2009, the island was afflicted by periodic droughts and wells sometimes ran dry.

The Guardian

The White Stripes went on hiatus in 2007 after Meg was afflicted with performance-related anxiety.

Britannica

When he was young, he was afflicted by a speech impediment.

The New Yorker

For much of it, he was afflicted with cramps and vertigo and threw up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was afflicted", ensure that the subject is clearly defined and the affliction is specified to provide context. For example, "She was afflicted with a rare disease" provides more clarity than simply "She was afflicted".

Common error

Avoid attributing complex afflictions to single, simplistic causes. Acknowledge the potential for multiple contributing factors for accuracy and sensitivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was afflicted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject experienced or was affected by something negative. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in describing adverse conditions impacting individuals or entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

18%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “was afflicted” is a passive verb phrase used to indicate that a subject has been negatively affected by something, such as a disease, hardship, or disaster. Ludwig AI states the phrase is correct and appropriate in written English. It is commonly used in news, encyclopedias, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal tone. Alternative phrases include "suffered from", "was burdened with", and "was troubled by". When using “was afflicted”, it’s important to specify the cause of the affliction and avoid oversimplifying complex situations. While the phrase is very common, it should be used with consideration for the sensitivity of the topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffered from

Focuses on the experience of enduring something unpleasant.

was burdened with

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty imposed by the affliction.

was troubled by

Highlights the distress or worry caused by the affliction.

was struck by

Suggests a sudden and forceful impact of the affliction.

was plagued by

Implies a persistent and irritating affliction.

was beset by

Indicates being surrounded or overwhelmed by the affliction.

contended with

Conveys the idea of actively struggling against the affliction.

grappled with

Conveys the idea of actively fighting against the affliction.

labored under

Highlights the difficulty and effort required to cope with the affliction.

endured

Focuses on the act of bearing the affliction without necessarily implying suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "was afflicted" in a sentence?

Use "was afflicted" to indicate that someone or something experienced a negative condition, such as an illness or hardship. For instance, "The town "was afflicted by a severe drought"".

What can I say instead of "was afflicted"?

You can use alternatives like "suffered from", "was burdened with", or "was troubled by", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "was afflicted" when describing a person's struggles?

Yes, "was afflicted" is appropriate when describing someone's struggles with illnesses, hardships, or other negative conditions. However, consider the potential impact and choose the most sensitive and accurate language for the situation.

Which is more formal, "was afflicted" or "suffered from"?

"Was afflicted" generally carries a slightly more formal tone than "suffered from". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.