be exaggerated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be exaggerated by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how something is made to seem larger, more important, or more intense than it actually is, often in the context of emotions, situations, or descriptions. Example: "The impact of the storm was exaggerated by the media, leading to unnecessary panic among the residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

But the severity may be exaggerated by the way statistics are given in the news.

The New York Times

The effect can be exaggerated by proper choice of the design parameters for the microscopes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A recent report has also shown that official pay figures could be exaggerated by a rise in pension contributions.

The Guardian - Business

If global employees are included, the ratio will be exaggerated by relatively low-paid employees in less-developed countries.

The New York Times

IPT, the publication of the Institute for Psychological Therapy, reported in 1992 that later government investigations proved her estimates to be exaggerated by "several orders of magnitude".

The New York Times

Media pressure to quickly declare winners sometimes overstates initial results, and all of this can be exaggerated by a close race at the top.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Would I be exaggerating by saying that Trump and the mullahs are made for each other?

The Washington Post

Its movements were exaggerated by thin trading.

The New York Times

Thus the figure was exaggerated by a little under 50%.

The Guardian

Price movements yesterday were exaggerated by the paucity of dealings.

The New York Times

Aging dampened AMPK phosphorylation and Sirt1, the effects of which were exaggerated by ALDH2.

Free Radical Biology and Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be exaggerated by", ensure that you provide context as to why and how the exaggeration is occurring. This will add clarity and credibility to your statement.

Common error

While "be exaggerated by" is acceptable, relying on it too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "amplified", "inflated", or "overstated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be exaggerated by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject's qualities or effects are amplified or overstated by a specific agent or cause. It is commonly used to express that something appears more significant than it actually is. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be exaggerated by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates how something is made to appear larger, more important, or more intense than it actually is. As noted by Ludwig, it is suitable for various writing styles, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While it is a common phrase, writers should consider varying their language with synonyms like "be amplified by" or "be overstated by" to avoid repetition. Understanding its proper usage can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be blown out of proportion by

This suggests that something is made to seem much more serious or important than it really is.

be overstated by

This focuses on the act of presenting something as more significant than it is through words.

be heightened by

This alternative means to intensify or increase the degree or amount of something.

be intensified by

This highlights the increase in strength or degree of something due to another factor.

be amplified by

This alternative suggests a more general increase or strengthening, without necessarily implying distortion.

be magnified by

This alternative suggests making something appear larger, often metaphorically.

be inflated by

This implies an artificial or unwarranted increase in size or importance.

be embellished by

This implies adding decorative details that may not be entirely truthful, thus making something seem more impressive.

be aggrandized by

This implies making something seem greater or more important than it actually is, often to impress others.

be colored by

This suggests that something is influenced by and reflects certain biases or perspectives.

FAQs

How can I use "be exaggerated by" in a sentence?

Use "be exaggerated by" to describe how a particular factor inflates or amplifies something, making it appear larger or more significant than it is. For example: "The media's portrayal of the event was "be exaggerated by" sensationalism."

What are some alternatives to "be exaggerated by"?

You can use alternatives such as "be amplified by", "be inflated by", or "be overstated by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is exaggerated by" instead of "be exaggerated by"?

Both "is exaggerated by" and "be exaggerated by" are grammatically correct, but they serve different purposes. "Is exaggerated by" is used in specific instances, while ""be exaggerated by"" is used in more general or hypothetical contexts, often with modal verbs (e.g., could be, might be).

What's the difference between "be exaggerated by" and "be exacerbated by"?

"Be exaggerated by" means something is made to seem larger or more significant than it is, while "be exacerbated by" means something is made worse or more severe. The two phrases have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably.