Riddled With: Standard Pattern
Riddled With: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Use “riddled with” when something contains many undesirable things, weaknesses, errors, or problems.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| contain many problems, faults, errors, or other undesirable things | be riddled with + noun | Use “with” to introduce the unwanted things that are numerous. |
| describe a document, system, or situation as heavily affected by faults | be riddled with + plural/uncountable noun | The construction normally carries a negative evaluation. |
| use the expression for a neutral abundance without considering tone | use caution | Choose a neutral abundance expression when the negative implication is not intended. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you saying that something contains many undesirable problems, faults, or similar things?
If yes: Use “riddled with.”
If no: If the abundance is neutral or positive, prefer a neutral construction unless the negative tone is intended.
Examples
The draft was riddled with formatting errors.
The construction emphasizes numerous undesirable errors.
The old process was riddled with delays.
“With” introduces the repeated problems.
The report was riddled with contradictions.
The phrase conveys a strongly negative concentration of faults.
Further guidance
Construction
Use “riddled with” when something contains many undesirable things, weaknesses, errors, or problems.
Style Boundary
The construction is strongly associated with undesirable content or defects; this guide does not generalize it to neutral abundance expressions.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- RIDDLED | English meaning — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct Cambridge dictionary evidence for the construction “riddled with” when something contains many undesirable things or problems.