inflict
inflicts
inflicting
inflicted
Inflict means to cause something unpleasant to be suffered. Regular verb: inflict-inflicted-inflicted.
Meanings
- To cause suffering
- To impose something unwelcome
- To deal a blow
Common Collocations
inflict damage
inflict pain
inflict punishment
inflict harm on
Tip for Learners
Inflict is used for negative things. "The storm inflicted severe damage on the town."
Present Simple
| I | inflict |
| you | inflict |
| he/she/it | inflicts |
| we | inflict |
| they | inflict |
Examples - Present Simple
- I inflict no harm on any living creature.
- You inflict pain with your harsh words.
- The storm inflicts damage on coastal areas.
- We inflict consequences for rule violations.
- They inflict punishment according to law.
Present Continuous
| I | am inflicting |
| you | are inflicting |
| he/she/it | is inflicting |
| we | are inflicting |
| they | are inflicting |
Examples - Present Continuous
- I am inflicting no unnecessary suffering.
- You are inflicting emotional damage with criticism.
- The disease is inflicting widespread suffering.
- We are inflicting penalties on violators.
- They are inflicting heavy losses on opponents.
Present Perfect
| I | have inflicted |
| you | have inflicted |
| he/she/it | has inflicted |
| we | have inflicted |
| they | have inflicted |
Examples - Present Perfect
- I have inflicted no injury on anyone.
- You have inflicted considerable stress on the team.
- The war has inflicted tremendous casualties.
- We have inflicted appropriate sanctions.
- They have inflicted defeats on every rival.
Present Perfect Continuous
| I | have been inflicting |
| you | have been inflicting |
| he/she/it | has been inflicting |
| we | have been inflicting |
| they | have been inflicting |
Examples - Present Perfect Continuous
- I have been inflicting discipline consistently.
- You have been inflicting pressure on employees.
- The drought has been inflicting hardship.
- We have been inflicting penalties fairly.
- They have been inflicting damage for months.
Past Simple
| I | inflicted |
| you | inflicted |
| he/she/it | inflicted |
| we | inflicted |
| they | inflicted |
Examples - Past Simple
- I inflicted no lasting damage.
- You inflicted unnecessary pain with that comment.
- The hurricane inflicted billions in damages.
- We inflicted the required penalty.
- They inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy.
Past Continuous
| I | was inflicting |
| you | were inflicting |
| he/she/it | was inflicting |
| we | were inflicting |
| they | were inflicting |
Examples - Past Continuous
- I was inflicting discipline when questioned.
- You were inflicting harm without realizing it.
- The regime was inflicting torture on prisoners.
- We were inflicting consequences as needed.
- They were inflicting casualties throughout the battle.
Past Perfect
| I | had inflicted |
| you | had inflicted |
| he/she/it | had inflicted |
| we | had inflicted |
| they | had inflicted |
Examples - Past Perfect
- I had inflicted no harm before the intervention.
- You had inflicted enough damage already.
- The earthquake had inflicted devastation before aid arrived.
- We had inflicted penalties before appeals.
- They had inflicted losses before retreating.
Past Perfect Continuous
| I | had been inflicting |
| you | had been inflicting |
| he/she/it | had been inflicting |
| we | had been inflicting |
| they | had been inflicting |
Examples - Past Perfect Continuous
- I had been inflicting punishment fairly.
- You had been inflicting stress unknowingly.
- The conflict had been inflicting suffering for years.
- We had been inflicting fines consistently.
- They had been inflicting damage relentlessly.
Future Simple
| I | will inflict |
| you | will inflict |
| he/she/it | will inflict |
| we | will inflict |
| they | will inflict |
Examples - Future Simple
- I will inflict no unnecessary pain.
- You will inflict consequences if rules are broken.
- The storm will inflict serious damage.
- We will inflict appropriate measures.
- They will inflict penalties on the guilty.
Future Continuous
| I | will be inflicting |
| you | will be inflicting |
| he/she/it | will be inflicting |
| we | will be inflicting |
| they | will be inflicting |
Examples - Future Continuous
- I will be inflicting no harm during the procedure.
- You will be inflicting discipline as needed.
- The crisis will be inflicting hardship for months.
- We will be inflicting sanctions throughout.
- They will be inflicting losses on competitors.
Future Perfect
| I | will have inflicted |
| you | will have inflicted |
| he/she/it | will have inflicted |
| we | will have inflicted |
| they | will have inflicted |
Examples - Future Perfect
- I will have inflicted no permanent damage.
- You will have inflicted enough punishment by then.
- The pandemic will have inflicted lasting changes.
- We will have inflicted proper consequences.
- They will have inflicted maximum impact.
Future Perfect Continuous
| I | will have been inflicting |
| you | will have been inflicting |
| he/she/it | will have been inflicting |
| we | will have been inflicting |
| they | will have been inflicting |
Examples - Future Perfect Continuous
- I will have been inflicting discipline fairly.
- You will have been inflicting pressure for months.
- The war will have been inflicting suffering for years.
- We will have been inflicting penalties consistently.
- They will have been inflicting damage throughout.