View source for Afflict - inflict

'''Afflict''' and '''inflict''' are two words close in meaning, coming from same root in [[Latin]]. The difference is mostly in the usage, particularly the prepositions:

* '''afflict ''' [the victim] '''with''' [the suffering]; but
* '''inflict'''  [the suffering] '''on''' [the victim]

To '''afflict '''is to distress (''[[OED]]''); or to cause suffering to. Its usage is most often in the [[passive voice]]. (This shows that it is a [[transitive]] [[verb]].) Someone may be afflicted with arthritis, for example. 

Much more rarely, it is used in the [[active voice]]. [Someone in authority - often a God] '''afflicts''' [a sufferer] '''with''' [punishment, trials or tribulations].

To '''inflict''' is ''to lay on, as a stroke or blow'', or ''To impose something unwelcome. (Often jocular.)''  (''[[OED]]'').

Its usage is most often in the active form: [Someone] '''inflicts''' [a pain or other undesirable thing] '''on''' [someone else].

[[category:malapropisms]]
[[Category:disambig]]