be condemned for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be condemned for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of being judged or criticized for a particular action or behavior. Example: "He may be condemned for his controversial statements during the interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It's the most brutal of things that can happen to a human being to be condemned for a crime you didn't commit.

The Guardian

It appeared that he would be condemned for his teaching, but the condemnation never came.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lose, and be condemned for your foolishness.

The New York Times - Sports

Should they be condemned for that?

The Guardian - Money

There is practically no limit to what they could be condemned for allegedly condoning.

The Economist

A person should not be condemned for all time due to a criminal conviction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ethics matter and no one should be condemned for their religious beliefs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Are Jews today to be condemned for something that took place 2,000 years ago?

The New York Times - Sports

How often will they be condemned for their absence of "father"?

The New York Times

To the Editor: Misleading errors in either academic research or product marketing should be condemned for all the obvious reasons.

The New York Times

"We will not agree that Mr. McBride should be condemned for having been a liberation fighter," Mr. Mbeki wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be condemned for", ensure the context clearly specifies what action or belief is being judged. Clarity helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "be condemned for" excessively in emotionally charged writing. While it conveys strong disapproval, overuse can make your writing sound biased or overly critical. Balance it with more neutral language to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be condemned for" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is the recipient of a negative judgment or strong disapproval. It's frequently used to express moral or ethical criticism. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Opinion

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be condemned for" is a commonly used passive verb phrase that expresses strong disapproval or negative judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, opinion pieces, and general discussions. While its register is generally neutral, formality can increase in academic or legal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the action or belief being judged and avoid overuse in emotionally charged writing to maintain objectivity. Alternative phrases, like "be criticized for" or "be blamed for", can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be judged for

Highlights the act of forming an opinion or evaluation.

be criticized for

Focuses on the act of expressing disapproval, rather than a formal judgment.

face condemnation for

Emphasizes the act of dealing with the consequences of an error.

be blamed for

Highlights the assignment of responsibility for something negative.

draw criticism for

Stresses that the action attracts negative attention.

be censured for

Implies a formal reprimand or expression of disapproval.

be denounced for

Suggests a strong, public condemnation.

be reproached for

Implies mild criticism or scolding.

receive flak for

Informal way to say receive negative feedback or criticism.

be penalized for

Focuses on the imposition of a punishment or consequence.

FAQs

What does "be condemned for" mean?

To "be condemned for" means to be strongly criticized or judged negatively for a particular action, belief, or characteristic. It implies a sense of disapproval and often carries a moral judgment.

What can I say instead of "be condemned for"?

You can use alternatives like "be criticized for", "be blamed for", or "be denounced for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be condemned for"?

The passive voice ("be condemned for") shifts the focus to the person or thing receiving the condemnation rather than the entity doing the condemning. This can be useful when the actor is unknown or less important than the subject being judged. Using the active voice, like "they condemned him for...", emphasizes who is doing the condemning.

When is it appropriate to use "be condemned for" in writing?

"Be condemned for" is appropriate when you want to express a strong negative judgment or disapproval of someone's actions or beliefs. However, use it judiciously, as it can create a strong emotional tone. Ensure your assessment is based on factual evidence or well-reasoned arguments.