2023-05-16 ศัพท์ น่าสับสน ชุด I –ชุด I – Inflict – afflicts

Revision I

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Dictionary.com

ออกเสียง Inflict = ‘in-FLIKT’

ออกเสียง afflict = ‘uh-FLIKT’

 

Dictionary.com

What’s the Difference Between “Afflict” vs. “Inflict”?

Chances are that, during times of … 

let’s say biological outbreak, 

you’re bound to hear the words 

afflicted, affliction, and inflict or inflicted used a lot

—and to varying degrees of accuracy.

 

It’s OK, this is normal: 

the English language is particularly confusing 

when it comes to usage of words 

that share a similar element. 

In this case, it’s –flict, 

ultimately based on the Latin verb flīgere, 

meaning “to strike”

 

When we use these words, 

we’re often talking about various forms of pain or distress, 

but there are plenty of figurative uses for them as well

.What does it mean to be afflicted?

The word afflict is a verb that means 

“to distress with mental or bodily pain, 

or to trouble greatly or grievously,” 

and it’s generally used with an object, 

especially in plural forms or with collective nouns. 

For instance, 

The disease afflicted already vulnerable populations.

This word is also often used as a verb in the passive voice, 

especially when the subject is singular. 

 

For example, 

you could say that 

Joey is afflicted with chronic pain in his knees, 

or Jane has been afflicted with general anxiety for a long time now.

The noun form of afflict is affliction. 

 

So, you could say, to draw on the above examples, 

Joey’s affliction is giving him horrible knee pain, 

or Jane’s affliction with anxiety has been present for years.

The word afflict is recorded as early as 1350–1400. 

It comes from the Latin afflictus, meaning “distressed,” 

the past participle of afflīgere, meaning “to cast down.” 

The af– in this verb is a form of the Latin preposition ad, meaning “to, towards.”

 

What does inflict mean?

Now, inflict is a verb, also used with an object, 

that means 

“to impose as something that must be borne or suffered” 

or “to deal or deliver, as a blow.” 

It is also commonly used in the passive voice, 

and often with on or upon.

For instance, 

you could say that 

The teacher inflicts consequences upon the classroom when the students get rowdy and don’t listen, 

or We will not inflict damage on the enemy forces until provoked.

 

Inflict is also commonly used to mean “impose,” 

and that’s imposition of anything really, not just physical pain … 

as in She didn’t want him inflicting his beliefs on her.

The noun form of inflict is infliction, 

and commonly connotes suffering of some kind, 

e.g., The patient was recovering from the infliction of mental distress.

Inflict is recorded later than afflict, dated to around 1520–30. 

Its origin is similar, though, coming from the Latin inflīctus, meaning “distressed,” the past participle form of afflīgere, meaning “to cast down.”

 

What’s the difference between afflict and inflict?

As you can see from above, 

correctly using afflict and infliction can feel like an affliction.

One of the best ways to distinguish these words 

is by trying to substitute one for the other in a sentence.

 

Here’s a rule to remember:

The object of inflict is the form of pain or distress, 

such as an injury.

The object of afflict is the person or thing that is suffering.

 

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Choose the Right Synonym for afflict

AFFLICT, TRY, TORMENT, TORTURE, RACK 

mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. 

AFFLICT is a general term and applies to 

the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.  

ills that afflict the elderly  

 

TRY suggests imposing something that strains 

the powers of endurance or of self-control.  

children often try their parents' patience  

 

TORMENT suggests persecution or the repeated 

inflicting of suffering or annoyance.  

a horse tormented by flies  

 

TORTURE adds the implication of causing 

unbearable pain or suffering. 

tortured by a sense

 

Dictionary of Problem Words and Expression

Inflict & afflict

These words have different meaning and applications, 

although the base flict is common to both. 

(Flict is derived from a Latin word meaning 

“to beat down” “to strike against.”)

Inflict means “to lay on,” 

“to impose,” 

and always has a connotation of 

something burdensome or unwelcome: 

“Don’t inflict any more work on me today.”

“Society inflicts penalties and punishments upon some wrongdoers, but not upon all of them.” 

Afflict means “to trouble,” 

“to distress,” 

“to lay on bodily or mental pain”:

“Several of the boys were afflicted with boils.”

“Severe depression afflicts many persons who are mentally ill.’