Inflict on
Should I use inflict on with only unpleasant situations?

Examples:

- Free education would inflict a great cost burden on the state's fund.

- People who rely on fast food as a major source of their diet could suffer from heart problems. This is a serious issue that inflicts life threatening disease on people.

Thanks for help

Question

Inflict on
Should I use inflict on with only unpleasant situations?

Examples:

- Free education would inflict a great cost burden on the state's fund.

- People who rely on fast food as a major source of their diet could suffer from heart problems. This is a serious issue that inflicts life threatening disease  on people.

Thanks for help

Answer

Should I use inflict on only for unpleasant situations?
not not necessary, but it is the most common use of "inflict on". It means to "strike against" or in daily use cause harm suffering or pain. But you can inflict discomfort by subtle means.

you could correctly say to someone "don't inflict your humour on me" = you do not find their humour funny, or offensive etc.
it could also be said to be translated in reverse. to mean "you do find their humour funny" and you can't stop right now to have a joking session etc.

English is full of these reversals in daily speech.

Inflict also has a medical meaning and a legal meaning.

Answer

https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/inflict+on
This link would be helpful.

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