be put under

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be put under" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is placed in a certain state or condition, often referring to being subjected to something, such as pressure or anesthesia. Example: "Before the surgery, the patient will be put under to ensure they do not feel any pain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or at least be put under constant electronic control.

The Economist

"He may be put under house arrest again," she said.

The New York Times

And Syrians implicated in continuing investigations will be put under even closer scrutiny, the officials said.

The New York Times

"Ukrainians really don't like to be put under pressure," she said.

The New York Times

But there is no reason why it cannot be put under that lens and assessed accordingly.

The New York Times

This intense system will be put under great pressure by the need for extra security measures.

The Economist

Mr. Dodd had suggested that the agency be put under the Treasury Department.

The New York Times

If banks emphasize the latter route too much, the economy will be put under further pressure.

The New York Times

"It will all be put under one umbrella," Mr. Kelly said.

The New York Times

I suspect that Higson's Bond will be put under a similar microscope.

The Guardian - Books

Smoking is not illegal, and smokers should not be put under such persecution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be put under" when you want to express that someone or something is being subjected to a certain condition, influence, or control. For example, "The company will be put under new management."

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive construction with "be put under" is more appropriate. Instead of "They put the suspect under surveillance", use "The suspect will be put under surveillance" to emphasize the action being done to the suspect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be put under" functions as a passive construction, where the subject receives the action rather than performing it. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a state of being subjected to something like scrutiny, pressure, control, or a medical procedure. Examples include "be put under pressure" and "be put under anesthesia".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be put under" is a versatile and common passive construction used to indicate that someone or something is being subjected to a specific condition, influence, or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts—from News & Media to Science and Wiki sources—make it suitable for general communication. The phrase, while generally neutral, effectively conveys the idea of influence, control, or process. While often encountered it is important to avoid misusing active voice when the passive construction with "be put under" is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be subjected to

Replaces "put under" with a more direct and often forceful verb.

be placed under

Emphasizes the act of being positioned or categorized.

be exposed to

Highlights the aspect of encountering something, often an influence or effect.

be subjected to the authority of

Specifies the nature of control or governance.

be brought under

Suggests a process of bringing something into a controlled state.

be made subject to

Formal and emphasizes obligation or requirement.

be forced under

Implies coercion or unwilling submission.

be governed by

Refers to being ruled or controlled by a set of rules or principles.

be pressed into

Suggests strong influence or coercion to enter a state or activity.

be compelled to undergo

Highlights the lack of choice in experiencing something.

FAQs

How can I use "be put under" in a sentence?

"Be put under" indicates that someone or something is being subjected to a specific condition or control. For example, "The patient will be put under anesthesia before the surgery" or "The project will be put under review".

What are some alternatives to "be put under"?

You can use alternatives like "be subjected to", "be placed under", or "be exposed to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "be put under" or "being put under"?

Both phrases can be correct depending on the sentence structure. "Be put under" is often used in future or conditional statements, while "being put under" might be used in continuous tenses. For example, "He will be put under investigation" versus "He is currently being put under investigation".

What does it mean when something is "put under review"?

When something is "put under review", it means that it is being examined or assessed to determine its quality, effectiveness, or suitability. This could apply to documents, processes, or even entire organizations.