are meted upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are meted upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of distributing or administering something, often in a punitive or judgmental context. Example: "The consequences of their actions are meted upon those who fail to comply with the rules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The horrors that are meted upon it.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Expulsions are meted out to one in 200 black students versus one in 1,000 white students.

The New York Times

Formally, these views of a long and rich life are meted out in classical cadences.

The New York Times - Books

Detentions are meted out by the police without trials, judges or appeals.

The New York Times

When hefty fees are meted out, the result is a two-tier justice system.

The Washington Post

Promotions for new products and specials are meted out accordingly.

Forbes

Several times in July and August, the judge held defense attorneys in contempt of court, and told them their punishment would be meted out upon conclusion of the trial.

Wikipedia

Some here are meting out their own form of vigilante justice.

BBC

that "[w]e do not intend that the Japanese shall be enslaved as a race or destroyed as a nation, but stern justice shall be meted out to all war criminals, including those who have visited cruelties upon our prisoners".

Wikipedia

So punishments were meted.

The New Yorker

Brutal punishment is meted out for malingering.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "inflicted upon" or "imposed upon" for clarity and impact, as "are meted upon" can sound somewhat archaic.

Common error

Avoid using "are meted upon" excessively in contemporary writing, as it can come across as overly formal or stilted. Opt for more common and accessible phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are meted upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is being distributed or inflicted by an unspecified agent. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis, which identifies it as correct for describing the act of administering something, often in a punitive or judgmental context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are meted upon" is a grammatically correct but somewhat uncommon way to express that something is being distributed or inflicted. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness but suggests that alternatives like "are inflicted upon" or "are imposed upon" may be clearer and more impactful in modern writing. Although used in various contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media. While grammatically sound, it's best to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are inflicted upon

Emphasizes the negative or harmful aspect of what is being distributed.

are imposed upon

Focuses on the authoritative or mandatory nature of the distribution.

are dispensed to

Highlights the act of giving or providing something, often in a controlled manner.

are subjected to

Indicates that someone or something is forced to experience a particular action or treatment.

are visited upon

Implies that something undesirable is happening to someone or something.

are administered to

Focuses on the formal or official process of giving or applying something.

are dealt to

Suggests a casual or informal distribution of something.

are allotted to

Implies a specific amount or share being assigned to someone or something.

are apportioned to

Focuses on the fair or equitable division of something among multiple recipients.

are handed out to

Suggests a widespread or indiscriminate distribution of something.

FAQs

What does "are meted upon" mean?

The phrase "are meted upon" means that something is distributed or inflicted on someone or something. It often implies a sense of judgment or consequence.

How can I use "are meted upon" in a sentence?

You can use "are meted upon" to describe the distribution of rewards, punishments, or other outcomes. For example, "The consequences of their actions "are imposed upon" those who fail to comply."

What are some alternatives to "are meted upon"?

Alternatives to "are meted upon" include phrases like "are inflicted upon", ""are imposed upon"", or "are subjected to", depending on the specific context.

Is it more common to say "are meted out" than "are meted upon"?

Yes, "are meted out" is a far more common and widely understood phrase. "Are meted upon" is less frequently used and may sound more formal or archaic.