What is suffer? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "suffer" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different nuances. Here's a breakdown of its common uses, with examples:

1. To Experience Pain or Distress (Physical or Emotional):

• This is the most common usage. “Suffer” means to experience something unpleasant, often involving pain, hardship, or distress.

  • Physical Suffering: “He suffered a broken leg in the accident.” “She suffered from a severe headache.” “The patient was suffering from a chronic illness.”
  • Emotional Suffering: “She suffered a lot after the loss of her husband.” “He suffers from anxiety.” “Many refugees suffer from trauma.” “I suffer from debilitating sadness sometimes.”

• Key Phrases:

  • "Suffer from..." (e.g., "He suffers from depression.") – This indicates a condition or ailment.
  • "Suffer a..." (e.g., "She suffered a severe burn.") – This refers to a specific instance of hardship.

2. To Endure Something Difficult (Often Passive):

• In this sense, “suffer” implies accepting something unpleasant without complaint or resistance. It suggests a passive acceptance of hardship.

  • “The company suffered heavy losses last year.” (meaning they endured significant financial difficulties)
  • “The village suffered from a long drought.” (meaning it endured hardship due to lack of water)
  • “He suffered the consequences of his actions.” (meaning he had to deal with the negative results)

3. To Be Affected by Something Negative (Often a Verb – Passive Voice):

• "Suffer" can be used as a passive verb, meaning to be impacted or harmed by something.

  • “The country suffered from the effects of the war.” (meaning it was negatively affected.)
  • “The town suffered a devastating flood.” (meaning it experienced a terrible flood)

4. (Less Common, More Formal) To Experience a Loss of Something Good:

• This usage is more literary or formal, and it implies a deprivation or a diminishing of something desirable.

  • “He suffered a great loss when his house burned down.” (meaning he experienced a significant loss of his home and possessions)
  • “The artist suffered a decline in his abilities as he aged.” (meaning his skills diminished.)

Here’s a table summarizing the different ways to use “suffer”:

Important Notes:

• Synonyms: “Suffer” is often interchangeable with words like "endure," "bear," "experience," "undergo," or "tolerate." However, "suffer" often carries a stronger sense of pain or hardship than those words.

• Formal vs. Informal: "Suffer" is generally considered more formal than words like "feel" or "experience."

• "Suffer" vs. "Feel": "Feel" is often a more general term for experiencing something (emotions, sensations). “Suffer” implies a more significant and often prolonged or painful experience.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

• What kind of context are you trying to use “suffer” in? (e.g., writing a story, talking about a medical condition, describing a historical event?)