we were afflicted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were afflicted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or a group has experienced suffering, distress, or hardship. Example: "During the pandemic, we were afflicted by numerous challenges that tested our resilience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We were afflicted with jet lag for our first 24 hours, which meant that we were lying awake at 4 on our first morning, listening to our iPods and reading books about the Taliban, when the dawn call to prayer sounded from the mosques, echoing through the mountains that surround Kabul and filling our small room.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

No wonder we are afflicted with hooliganism, racial and homophobic violence.

Independent

"We are afflicted by corruption, lack of services, unemployment and mass graves".

The Economist

The study is of useful consideration for Australians, of course – we're afflicted with alcohol problems of our own.

The Guardian - Opinion

The graphic arts are on the march as "showing" tramples on "explaining," and now we are afflicted with the symbols of symbols.

The New York Times - Magazine

"And that's why they are blessed with peace and prosperity while we are afflicted with social distress and civil strife all over the Muslim world.

The New Yorker

When we are afflicted with it, we feel more acutely the presence (and judgment) of other people, as we can see in the panicked inner monologues of Peep Show.

The Guardian

We are afflicted with the kind of "common sense" that turns one black kid into all black men and all black men into criminals – and, most worryingly, all criminality into a black male "thing".

The Guardian - Opinion

He found Germany to be a heartening counter-example to Roosevelt's New Deal: "When you contrast the state of mind of Germany today [1938] with what it was in 1925, you begin to think that perhaps this course of idleness, feeding at the public trough, dependence on government, etc, with which we are afflicted is not permanent and can be overcome".

The Guardian

Our gaze keeps shifting leftwards as if we are afflicted by some kind of a tic that jerks our head in that direction, as if we are being forced to acknowledge and inspect, again and again, that sucking promise of blankness, blackness.

Independent

We are afflicted with persistent racial injustice and serious income, educational, and political inequality.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone you want to convey. "Afflicted" can sound formal or serious, so choose a different term if a lighter tone is desired. Alternatives include "troubled", "burdened", or "impacted".

Common error

Avoid using "afflicted" in casual conversation or informal writing. The word carries a weight of suffering and is best suited for more serious or formal contexts. In less formal situations, simpler words like "bothered", "affected", or "troubled" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were afflicted" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that the subject (we) experienced suffering or hardship. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in describing negative experiences or challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were afflicted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey experiences of suffering, hardship, or burden. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides several real-world examples from reputable sources, primarily in the news and media domain. While the phrase is effective in emphasizing the impact of negative circumstances, writers should consider the context and desired tone, opting for alternatives like "we suffered from" or "we were burdened by" in more formal or neutral settings. Choosing the right language ensures the message is both clear and appropriate for the intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we suffered from

Replaces "afflicted" with a more direct verb, "suffered", emphasizing the experience of pain or hardship.

we were burdened by

Highlights the weight or difficulty imposed by something, rather than the direct experience of suffering.

we experienced

A more general term that covers a broad range of experiences, including negative ones.

we were beset by

Implies being persistently troubled or attacked by something.

we struggled with

Focuses on the effort to overcome something difficult or challenging.

we were plagued by

Suggests a recurring or persistent source of trouble or annoyance.

we were troubled by

Indicates a state of worry or disturbance caused by something.

we faced

Highlights the act of confronting or dealing with a challenge.

we were subjected to

Emphasizes that something was imposed upon the group, often against their will.

we were victims of

Highlights being harmed or negatively affected by something.

FAQs

How can I use "we were afflicted" in a sentence?

Use "we were afflicted" to describe a situation where you and others experienced suffering, hardship, or distress. For example, "During the economic downturn, we were afflicted by job losses and financial instability."

What can I say instead of "we were afflicted"?

You can use alternatives like "we suffered from", "we were burdened by", or "we struggled with" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we were afflicted" in a business context?

It can be, but consider your audience and the tone you want to convey. In some business contexts, a more direct or less emotionally charged phrase like "we faced challenges" or "we experienced difficulties" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "we were afflicted" and "we were affected"?

"Afflicted" implies suffering or hardship, while "affected" simply means influenced or impacted. "We were afflicted by the storm" suggests significant damage and suffering, while "we were affected by the storm" indicates that the storm had some impact on the group, which can be good or bad.