was afflicted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was afflicted with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is suffering from a disease, condition, or problem. Example: "He was afflicted with a rare illness that required extensive treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His life was afflicted with tragedies.

The New Yorker

The writer was afflicted with asthma.

The New Yorker

Biden was afflicted with regret.

The New York Times - Magazine

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

Independent

From a young age Bocelli was afflicted with congenital glaucoma.

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

Britannica

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

The New Yorker

It's hard to believe now, but a decade ago America was afflicted with severe self-doubt.

The New York Times

The humorist S. J. Perelman used to say his wife was "afflicted with total recall".

The New York Times

Anderson was afflicted with AL (primary) amyloidosis, which is related to a type of bone marrow cancer.

Stanford University

QUEEN VICTORIA'S SECOND SON Was Afflicted with Cancer, but Did Not Know of His Malady -- Duke of Albany Succeeds Him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was afflicted with", ensure the context clearly indicates the negative condition or suffering being experienced. Avoid using it for trivial or minor inconveniences.

Common error

While "was afflicted with" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Consider more concise and direct alternatives like "suffered from" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was afflicted with" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject experienced a negative condition, illness, or hardship. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Many examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing health issues and other difficulties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science & Research

6%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was afflicted with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe someone or something suffering from a negative condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely applicable across various contexts. While versatile, it is more appropriate for significant issues rather than trivial ones. Consider alternatives like "suffered from" in formal writing to avoid sounding repetitive. The phrase appears frequently in news, encyclopedias, and academic sources, reflecting its broad acceptance in both neutral and formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffered from

Focuses on the experience of enduring pain or hardship.

was stricken with

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful impact of a negative condition.

was burdened by

Highlights the weight or load imposed by a difficulty.

grappled with

Indicates a struggle or effort to overcome a problem.

struggled with

Similar to 'grappled with', but can also refer to ongoing, long-term difficulties.

battled

Implies an active fight or resistance against a disease or challenge.

was plagued by

Suggests a persistent or recurring source of trouble.

was troubled by

Focuses on the mental or emotional distress caused by something.

dealt with

A more neutral alternative, simply indicating the management of a problem.

experienced

A general term for undergoing something, which can be positive or negative depending on the context.

FAQs

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

Use "was afflicted with" to describe someone or something suffering from a serious disease, condition, or problem. For example, "The town was afflicted with a severe drought."

What can I say instead of "was afflicted with"?

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

Is it more formal to say "was afflicted with" or "suffered from"?

"Was afflicted with" can sound slightly more formal than "suffered from", but both are acceptable in many contexts. Choose the phrase that best fits the overall tone of your writing.

Can "was afflicted with" be used for non-living things?

Yes, "was afflicted with" can be used for non-living things to describe a negative condition or problem affecting them. For example, "The house was afflicted with mold."