be exposed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be exposed for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone or something is revealed to have done something wrong or to have been doing something wrong. For example, "They were exposed for their illegal activities when the police caught them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The "rush to judgment" by the police would be exposed for the mistake it was.

The New Yorker

"The new rule will be exposed for the first three or four races," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Their alliance deserves to be exposed for the opportunism and criminality it represents".

The New Yorker

And I think it's important that the boycotters must be exposed for what they are.

The Guardian

A "death to Jews" chant should be exposed for what it is: pure, unadulterated anti-Semitism.

The New York Times

At this point, the stress tests will be exposed for what they are: a sticking plaster over a gaping wound.

The Guardian - Business

Of course they will only be exposed for a limited time before they too are weathered away to nothing.

The Guardian

The farce of returning it at a non-critical time should be exposed for what it is: a sham.

The New York Times

Understandable really – no one wants to be exposed for wearing novelty headwear in the sack, do they?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"To get cancer from depleted uranium, you have to be exposed for a long time to very large amounts.

The New York Times

In the past, antisemites boycotted Jewish businesses and today they call for the boycott of the Jewish state … the boycotters must be exposed for what they are.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be exposed for", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is being revealed for. Clarity prevents misinterpretations and strengthens your message.

Common error

Avoid using "be exposed to" when you mean "be exposed for". "Exposed to" refers to being subjected to something (like sunlight or a chemical), while "be exposed for" indicates a revelation of wrongdoing or a hidden truth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be exposed for" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject is revealed or uncovered due to some action or condition. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, typically involving the unveiling of negative or previously hidden information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be exposed for" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate the revelation of a person, group, or entity's hidden or previously unknown actions, often with a negative connotation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in diverse contexts, notably in News & Media and Science, highlighting its versatility in reporting and analytical writing. When employing "be exposed for", ensure clarity regarding what is being revealed. Remember to distinguish it from "be exposed to", which implies subjection to something rather than revelation. By considering these nuances, you can effectively use "be exposed for" to convey accurate and impactful information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be revealed as

Focuses on the unveiling of a previously hidden truth or identity.

be unmasked as

Emphasizes the removal of a false pretense or disguise.

be caught doing

Highlights the act of being discovered in the midst of an action, often negative.

be found guilty of

Specifies that a judgment of guilt has been rendered, usually in a legal context.

have one's misdeeds revealed

Highlights the revelation of previous misconduct or bad behavior.

be shown to be

Indicates that evidence or proof has emerged to demonstrate something, potentially negative.

be brought to light for

Focuses on the act of making something previously obscure or unknown publicly visible.

be outed as

Suggests a public revelation of something previously concealed, often relating to identity.

face exposure for

Shifts the focus to the consequences of potential revelation.

become known for

Implies something is discovered publicly, though not necessarily negative.

FAQs

How can I use "be exposed for" in a sentence?

Use "be exposed for" when you want to indicate that someone or something is being revealed, typically for a negative reason. For example, "The company was exposed for its fraudulent accounting practices."

What does "be exposed for" mean?

It means that a person, thing, or organization is revealed to have done something wrong, dishonest, or previously hidden. The phrase often carries a negative connotation.

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

You can use alternatives like "be revealed as", "be unmasked as", or "be caught doing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is exposed for" or should I always use "be exposed for"?

"Be exposed for" is an infinitive form. Depending on the sentence's subject and tense, you'll use variations like "is exposed for", "was exposed for", "are exposed for", etc. The auxiliary verb 'be' must conjugate to agree with the subject and tense.