are under occupation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are under occupation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a situation in which a foreign power has taken control of a territory or area. For example, "Many countries in the Middle East are under occupation by foreign powers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"We are under occupation.

Independent

And so we are under occupation, as I said.

The New York Times

"As a legal specialist, he should know people are under occupation and cannot recognize the state while they are under occupation, only afterwards," said Mr. Youssef of Hamas.

The New York Times

The thing is you can keep blaming the Palestinians because they are the weaker side, they are under occupation.

The Guardian

"There is no room for the words cease-fire, because we are under occupation, we are just resisting occupiers," said Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, a member of Hamas.

The New York Times

"We are under occupation, under daily attack and our fighters are defending their people," he said in a phone interview from Qatar.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Palestine is under occupation," he said.

The New York Times

"We live as if we're under occupation," Nuha said.

The New Yorker

There it was, under "occupation": retired baseball player.

The New York Times - Health

As long as my country is under occupation, I feel that my vote means nothing".

The New York Times

"We are going to complain that as Palestinians we have been under occupation for 63 years".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are under occupation", clearly specify the occupying force and the territory or population being occupied to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "They are under occupation", specify "The West Bank is under Israeli occupation".

Common error

Avoid using "are under occupation" metaphorically or in contexts where actual military or political control isn't present. Using it loosely can diminish the gravity of genuine occupation situations. For example, don't say "My desk is under occupation by paperwork", say something like "My desk is overwhelmed with paperwork" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are under occupation" functions as a descriptive predicate. It describes the state of a territory or population that is being controlled by a foreign power. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in factual reporting and political commentary.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are under occupation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that is most commonly found in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriately used to describe situations where a foreign power controls a territory or population. While "are under occupation" isn't extremely common, it's important to use it accurately, avoiding metaphorical uses that could diminish its impact in real geopolitical situations. Alternatives like "are subjected to foreign rule" or "are living under occupation" can provide nuanced variations while maintaining accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are living under occupation

Highlights the lived experience of individuals in an occupied territory.

are enduring foreign occupation

Emphasizes the prolonged and often difficult nature of the occupation.

are subjected to foreign rule

Focuses on the imposition of governance by an external power.

are under foreign domination

Emphasizes the control exerted by a foreign entity.

are facing foreign subjugation

Highlights the act of being brought under control or dominance.

are subject to military control

Specifies the means of control as being military in nature.

are governed by a foreign power

Explicitly states the act of governance by an external authority.

are under the control of

Indicates a general state of being governed or directed by another entity.

are experiencing foreign military presence

Focuses on the physical presence of foreign armed forces.

are colonies of

Points to the formal establishment of colonial rule.

FAQs

How can I use "are under occupation" in a sentence?

You can use "are under occupation" to describe a territory or people controlled by a foreign military power. For example, "The disputed territories are under occupation by the neighboring country's forces."

What's a less formal way to say "are under occupation"?

While "are under occupation" is generally neutral, you could use phrases like "are subject to foreign rule" or "are controlled by", but the context will always determine appropriateness.

Is it appropriate to use "are under occupation" in a non-political context?

Generally, no. "Are under occupation" carries strong political and historical connotations related to military control and foreign dominance. Using it metaphorically can be insensitive and is best avoided.

What is the difference between "are under occupation" and "are being invaded"?

"Are being invaded" describes an ongoing military attack or intrusion. "Are under occupation" describes a state of control established after a successful invasion or ongoing military presence. The first is a process, the second is a state.