be disadvantaged

USAGE SUMMARY

"be disadvantaged" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something facing a disadvantage due to certain factors like poverty or lack of resources. For example, "Women are oftentimes disadvantaged in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We will not be disadvantaged".

The New York Times

Babies may be disadvantaged from day one.

The Guardian

What does it mean to be disadvantaged?

Stanford University

We didn't want the Australian people to be disadvantaged".

The Guardian

British citizens would also be disadvantaged, he said.

The Guardian

As a result, the center-left tends to be disadvantaged.

The New Yorker

"No students will be disadvantaged because of Pearson's errors".

The New York Times

Khan said: "Black and minority ethnic people are more likely to be disadvantaged by the budget.

The Guardian

If women are found to be disadvantaged in their applications, we need to know.

The Guardian

"Getting into college is a business now, and I don't want my child to be disadvantaged".

The New York Times

Will her eighth graders be disadvantaged in the process of choosing and applying to high school?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be disadvantaged", clearly specify the context and factors contributing to the disadvantage. For instance, instead of saying "They are disadvantaged", specify "They are disadvantaged due to lack of access to quality education".

Common error

Avoid using "be disadvantaged" without providing specific details about the nature of the disadvantage. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken your argument. Provide clear examples and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be disadvantaged" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence is experiencing a state of lacking advantages. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase correctly expresses a situation where someone or something faces a disadvantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be disadvantaged" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for describing a state of lacking advantages or opportunities. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is appropriate in a variety of contexts, ranging from news reports to academic papers. Usage analysis indicates its prevalence in discussions related to social equity and fairness. Related phrases, such as "be at a disadvantage" and "be worse off", provide alternative ways to convey similar meanings with nuanced differences. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the factors contributing to the disadvantage and avoiding vague generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be at a disadvantage

A more general and direct synonym.

be unfairly treated

Stresses injustice and inequity in treatment.

be worse off

Indicates a decline in overall condition or circumstances.

be discriminated against

Specifically refers to bias based on group affiliation.

be shortchanged

Emphasizes unfair treatment in receiving something due.

be marginalized

Highlights social exclusion and reduced importance.

be penalized

Focuses on suffering a specific punishment or negative consequence.

be undermined

Highlights a weakening or sabotage of one's position or efforts.

be hampered

Focuses on being restricted or slowed down in progress.

be impaired

Implies a specific functional deficit or reduction in ability.

FAQs

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

You can use "be disadvantaged" to describe a state of being less fortunate or having fewer opportunities than others. For example, "Children from low-income families may "be disadvantaged" in terms of educational resources".

What are some alternatives to "be disadvantaged"?

Some alternatives to "be disadvantaged" include "be at a disadvantage", "be worse off", or "be unfairly treated", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "are disadvantaged" or should it always "be disadvantaged"?

The correct form depends on the subject and tense. "Are disadvantaged" is used for plural subjects or in the present tense (e.g., "They are disadvantaged"), while "be disadvantaged" is used in the infinitive form or after auxiliary verbs (e.g., "They may "be disadvantaged"").

What is the difference between "be disadvantaged" and "be underprivileged"?

"Be disadvantaged" generally refers to a lack of specific advantages or opportunities, while "be underprivileged" often implies a broader lack of access to basic resources and social benefits. The terms are similar, but "be underprivileged" carries a stronger connotation of social inequity.