was ridden with

USAGE SUMMARY

"was ridden with" is correct and can be used in written English.
This is a phrase used to describe something that is infested or filled with something. For example, "The forest was ridden with mosquitoes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Worse still, the game was ridden with glitches; many customers demanded refunds.

The New Yorker

But their father's estate in the bleak Scottish borders was ridden with debt.

The Economist

She was always serene and optimistic; he was ridden with anxieties.

The New York Times

While Botswana's northern swampland was ridden with disease-carrying tsetse flies and malaria, Mr. Selby and his clients traversed the bush in style.

The Washington Post

The Reagan administration did not leave Israel, when it was ridden with inflation, to its own devices; the United States intervened to restructure the Israeli economy.

The New York Times

But there could be a bit of value about a more experienced sort in Storm Moon (2.30) who was ridden with too much haste last time and had previously looked an ideal type.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

According to other intelligence sources, Suleimani was riding with him.

The New Yorker

"He was riding with me, along with God".

The New York Times - Sports

Because of retro-rooting, I now contend that I was riding with Magic the whole time.

The New York Times - Sports

The deputies he was riding with ended up running after a suspect.

The New York Times

Mayor O'Connor, in town to attend a mayors' conference on drugs, was riding with Det.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was ridden with" to vividly describe situations overwhelmed by negative elements like problems, anxiety, or disease. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the intensity and pervasiveness of these issues.

Common error

Avoid using "was ridden with" in neutral or positive contexts. The phrase carries a negative connotation, so opt for more appropriate alternatives like "filled with" or "abundant in" when describing positive situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was ridden with" functions as a descriptive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is heavily afflicted or permeated by something negative. Ludwig examples show it describing states of anxiety, debt, glitches and irregularities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was ridden with" is a phrase used to describe a situation or entity negatively affected or overwhelmed by something undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in News & Media and Academia. When using this phrase, be mindful of its negative connotation and ensure it aligns with the intended message. Consider alternatives like "was plagued by" or "was fraught with" for nuanced expressions. Avoiding overuse in neutral contexts is key to effective communication. The phrase is best employed when emphasizing the intensity and pervasiveness of negative conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was plagued by

Focuses on the negative impact and continuous trouble caused by something.

was infested with

Emphasizes the presence of unwanted creatures or elements.

was fraught with

Highlights the presence of difficulties and challenges.

was burdened by

Suggests a heavy load or oppressive weight.

was saturated with

Indicates a state of being completely filled or soaked.

was consumed by

Implies a complete takeover or overwhelming influence.

was overflowing with

Emphasizes an abundance, often negative.

was rife with

Highlights the widespread occurrence of something, typically negative.

was beset by

Indicates persistent attacks or harassment.

was overloaded with

Focuses on excessive quantity or burden.

FAQs

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

Use "was ridden with" to describe something negatively affected or filled with undesirable elements. For example, "The project was ridden with delays" or "The organization was ridden with internal conflicts".

What are some alternatives to "was ridden with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was plagued by", "was infested with", or "was fraught with".

Is "was ridden with" formal or informal?

"Was ridden with" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more impactful in descriptive or narrative writing where you want to emphasize a negative state.

What's the difference between "was filled with" and "was ridden with"?

"Was filled with" is a more neutral term that simply indicates the presence of something. "Was ridden with", on the other hand, suggests a negative and overwhelming presence. Choose "was ridden with" when emphasizing a problem or undesirable condition.