be condemned

USAGE SUMMARY

"be condemned" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It typically means to be officially judged as guilty or wrong and subject to punishment. Example: The criminal was sentenced to be condemned to life in prison for his heinous crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anything otherwise has to be condemned".

Independent

"In fact, he must be condemned.

The New Yorker

Mr Carmichael's lie should be condemned.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such remarks should be condemned by all".

The New York Times

Lose, and be condemned for your foolishness.

The New York Times - Sports

The arrests should be condemned.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He shouldn't be condemned twice".

The New York Times

Should they be condemned for that?

The Guardian - Money

You will be condemned by history".

The Guardian

He was not to be condemned.

The Guardian - Film

Despicable remarks which deserve to be condemned".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be condemned" to express a strong, often formal, disapproval of actions, ideas, or structures. It implies a judgment of unacceptability or wrongness.

Common error

Avoid using "be condemned" in everyday, casual conversations. The phrase carries a level of formality that is inappropriate for informal settings; consider alternatives like "criticized" or "disapproved of" for lighter contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be condemned" functions primarily as a passive infinitive construction. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action of condemnation. Ludwig AI confirms its common use and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be condemned" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses strong disapproval or judgment. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in news and media, its formality makes it suitable for expressing serious censure, but less appropriate for informal settings. Related phrases include "be denounced" and "be criticized", offering varying degrees of emphasis. When using "be condemned", ensure the context matches its formal tone to convey a message of significant disapproval or judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face condemnation

Focuses on the act of receiving condemnation.

be denounced

Similar meaning, focusing on public criticism and disapproval.

be reproached

Emphasizes disapproval or disappointment.

be censured

Implies formal reprimand or disapproval.

be damned

Suggests a severe judgment or fate, often with religious connotations.

be criticized

Focuses on expressing disapproval or finding fault.

be judged harshly

Highlights the severity of the judgment.

be found guilty

Refers to a legal verdict of guilt.

be vilified

Emphasizes strong, negative portrayal and defamation.

be ostracized

Highlights social exclusion as a consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "be condemned" in a sentence?

The phrase "be condemned" is typically used to express strong disapproval or judgment. For example: "The actions of the dictator must "be condemned" by the international community."

What can I say instead of "be condemned"?

You can use alternatives like "be denounced", "be criticized", or "be reprimanded", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be condemned" or "is condemned"?

"Be condemned" is an infinitive form used in constructions with modal verbs (e.g., "should be condemned"), while "is condemned" is a present passive form (e.g., "his behavior is condemned"). The correct form depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence.

What's the difference between "be condemned" and "face condemnation"?

"Be condemned" indicates a state of being judged or disapproved of, whereas "face condemnation" suggests the act of encountering or dealing with disapproval or judgment. The first focuses on the result, the second on the process.