are shot by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are shot by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that someone or something is being photographed or filmed by someone else. Example: "The stunning landscapes are shot by a talented photographer who travels the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

81,114 people survive gun injuries: 60,041 injured in an attack, 3,700 survive a suicide attempt, 16,428 shot unintentionally, 945 people are shot by legal intervention.

Huffington Post

Some are shot by managers.

The Economist

One local newspaper quoted him as saying, "Everyday, people are shot by Zambians, are shot by white people, are shot by the Americans, they are shot by everybody".

The New York Times

Few hens are shot by mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

Pierre watches as four men are shot by the French.

The New Yorker

They are shot by fish farmers, commercial fishermen and anglers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Many noted that despite how tragic the situation is, society may try to criminalize Kinsey, as has been a routine when black people are shot by police.

Huffington Post

–Why is it that, every time Forrest encounters a public figure, they are shot by someone shortly after?

Vice

After a voice on the transmission urges the pilots to "light 'em all up", the individuals on the street are shot by the gunship's cannon.

BBC

Related: It's Impossible To Find Out Exactly How Many People Are Shot By Cops in Canada.

Vice

Human beings and dogs are shot by cops all around the country every day, and those deaths aren't any less tragic than Rocco's.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "are shot by" to clearly indicate the agent responsible for the shooting action, especially in news reports or formal writing where specifying the perpetrator is crucial for clarity and accountability.

Common error

Ensure that the context clearly defines who or what "are" refers to, to avoid misinterpretations about who is being shot. For example, instead of 'Civilians are shot by', specify 'Unarmed civilians are shot by police officers' for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are shot by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject receives the action of being shot. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it correctly depicts the relationship between the recipient of the action and the performer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are shot by" is a grammatically sound passive construction commonly used to report shootings, particularly in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirmed, this phrase accurately represents the relationship between the subject being shot and the agent performing the action. Usage is most frequent in neutral reporting contexts. When writing with this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who or what "are" refers to. Alternative phrases like "were gunned down by" or "were fired upon by" can be used for stylistic variation or to convey slightly different nuances. Remember, maintaining objectivity and clarity is key when using this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are gunned down by

Implies a more aggressive and intentional act of shooting someone.

are fired upon by

Emphasizes the act of firing a weapon at someone, focusing on the action of shooting.

are targeted by

Implies a deliberate selection of a victim or object for attack.

are struck by bullets from

Highlights the physical impact of the bullet on a person

are attacked by gunfire from

Specifies that the attack involves gunfire and indicates the source of the gunfire.

are felled by gunfire from

Emphasizes that people collapse or are killed by the effect of the gunfire.

are wounded by

Focuses on the injury resulting from the shooting.

sustain gunshot wounds from

Emphasizes the act of receiving injuries caused by gunshots.

become victims of

Highlights the status of being a victim of gun violence.

fall prey to

Suggests a predatory relationship where individuals are vulnerable to being shot.

FAQs

How can I use "are shot by" in a sentence?

The phrase "are shot by" is used to indicate who performed the act of shooting someone. For example, "The protesters "were shot by" the police" indicates the police did the shooting.

What are some alternatives to "are shot by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "were gunned down by", "were fired upon by", or "were targeted by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing shootings?

While active voice (e.g., "The police shot the protesters") is often more direct, passive voice ("The protesters are shot by the police") can be useful when you want to emphasize the victim or de-emphasize the actor.

How does "are shot by" differ from "were shot by"?

"Are shot by" implies a present or ongoing action, while "were shot by" indicates a completed action in the past. For example, "Civilians are shot by soldiers daily" suggests an ongoing issue, while "Civilians "were shot by" soldiers yesterday" refers to a specific past event.