plagued
plagued — verb
- plaguedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- plagueds3rd person singular
- plagueding-ing form
- plaguededpast simple
1. to cause ongoing worry, pain, or problems for a person, group, or thing over a l
to cause ongoing worry, pain, or problems for a person, group, or thing over a long period of time
The construction project was plagued by delays and rising costs from the start.
passive: be plagued by [problems]
Rania's old laptop was plagued with constant crashes and slow startup times.
passive: be plagued with [difficulties]
For years, the coastal village was plagued by water shortages during the dry season.
Nicholas's childhood was plagued by frequent moves from one city to another.
The small hospital has been plagued by a lack of basic supplies since the floods.
文法句型
be plagued by/with + noun phrase
plague + noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive voice (be plagued by/with). The subject is typically an organization, project, place, or person's experience — not a living creature causing harm.
常見錯誤
2. to keep asking someone for something or making demands many times, in a way that
to keep asking someone for something or making demands many times, in a way that causes persistent irritation
Reporters plagued the mayor with questions about the new tax policy.
active: plague [person] with [questions/demands]
Caleb's younger sister plagued him all afternoon for a turn on the video game.
Samir's students plagued him for three weeks with requests to postpone the final exam.
For weeks, telemarketers plagued Antonia with calls every evening at dinner time.
The toddler plagued his mother for a cookie every time they passed the bakery.
- leave alone
to stop bothering someone
- ignore
to pay no attention to someone
文法句型
plague + person + with + noun phrase
plague + person + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense is often used in the active voice. The subject is a person or group doing the annoying, and the object is the person being bothered. Common objects: with questions, with requests, for attention.
常見錯誤
plagued — noun
1. a deadly bacterial infection that comes from flea bites on infected rats, best k
a deadly bacterial infection that comes from flea bites on infected rats, best known for causing the bubonic plague across Europe in the Middle Ages
The plague killed millions of people across Europe in the 1300s.
the + plague (specific historical disease)
In 1348, the plague swept through Florence so quickly that the city's graveyards could not hold all the dead.
The Great Plague of London killed 100,000, filling mass graves outside the city.
Dr. Alexandre Yersin discovered in 1894 how the plague bacteria travels from infected rats to humans through flea bites.
Villages along the trade route were wiped out by the plague in the 1300s.
- pestilence
archaic or literary term for a deadly epidemic
- epidemic
broader term for any disease that spreads widely
- pandemic
an epidemic that spreads across multiple countries or continents
文法句型
the plague
a plague of [disease]
用法筆記
When referring to the specific historical disease (bubonic plague), usually used with the definite article: the plague. When referring to any deadly epidemic, it can be a countable noun: a plague.
常見錯誤
2. a very large number of harmful animals, insects, or other unwanted things that a
a very large number of harmful animals, insects, or other unwanted things that appear suddenly and cause great damage
A plague of locusts destroyed almost every crop in the farming region.
a plague of [pests] — sudden harmful influx
The garden suffered a plague of snails after the heavy spring rains.
The old hotel closed after a plague of cockroaches was found in the kitchen.
Farmers across the province fought a plague of rats that came with the harvest.
The resort lost customers after a plague of mosquitoes drove tourists away.
- infestation
more clinical, used in pest control
- swarm
specifically for flying insects moving together
- outbreak
broader, can apply to disease or unwanted events
文法句型
a plague of [pests/animals]
用法筆記
Always used in the pattern 'a plague of + plural noun'. The noun specifies the unwanted creatures or things. Not used with human groups (e.g. 'a plague of tourists' is metaphorical, not literal).
常見錯誤
3. someone or something that constantly causes trouble, problems, or irritation in
someone or something that constantly causes trouble, problems, or irritation in daily life
The stray dogs have become a plague in the neighborhood, knocking over trash cans.
become a plague in [place]
Sayaka finds the constant construction noise a real plague on quiet weekends.
Potholes on the main road are a plague for drivers during the rainy season.
Mosquitoes in the park are a real plague each summer, driving joggers away before sunset.
Mei considers spam emails a plague that wastes ten minutes of her day.
文法句型
a plague
become a plague
用法筆記
Less severe than sense 1 or 2. Often used in everyday complaints. The tone is informal but not vulgar. Typically followed by 'for' or 'in' to mark who is affected.
常見錯誤
4. a terrible event that causes widespread suffering, destruction, or misfortune, o
a terrible event that causes widespread suffering, destruction, or misfortune, often seen as a form of punishment
The earthquake was a plague that left the entire region in ruins.
a plague (metaphorical — great disaster)
Many people saw the war as a plague brought upon the country by greed and poor leadership.
The drought was a plague that forced thousands of families to abandon their farms.
The oil spill became an environmental plague that destroyed miles of coastline.
- calamity
equally formal; focuses on the scale of loss
- catastrophe
emphasizes terrible outcome and destruction
- affliction
suggests prolonged suffering or hardship
文法句型
a plague (upon someone/something)
用法筆記
Literary or formal register. Often carries religious or moral weight — the disaster is seen as deserved or meaningful, not random. Distinguish from sense 3 (nuisance), which is light and everyday.