be scorned upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"be scorned upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when describing someone or something that has been subjected to public contempt and ridicule. For example: "She was scorned upon for her decision to break up with her long-term boyfriend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Expect to be scorned upon by parents, church, teachers etc. Expect an intervention.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Should they be scorned?

The New York Times - Books

Would he be scorned?

The Guardian - Sport

Soup will be scorned.

The New York Times

Blinded by their ignorance, they're to be scorned.

The New York Times - Books

Mine is scorned.

Independent

Always he was scorned.

The New Yorker

His academic world was scorned.

The New Yorker

The old was scorned.

The Guardian - Arts

Compromise is scorned.

The New Yorker

"No one is scorned".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be scorned upon" when you want to emphasize the public or societal aspect of the disapproval.

Common error

Avoid using "be scorned upon" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "be criticized" or "be rejected" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be scorned upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject receives the action of being scorned. It emphasizes the state of being subjected to contempt or disdain. Ludwig suggests that it describes something subjected to public contempt and ridicule.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be scorned upon" functions as a passive construction to express strong disapproval, particularly from external sources. Ludwig AI considers it grammatically correct and usable. While its usage is relatively rare, it effectively conveys a sense of societal judgment. When writing, consider the context and formality level. For formal settings "be criticized" or "be rejected" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be ridiculed

Focuses on mockery and derision, implying a more active and vocal form of scorn.

be looked down upon

Suggests a sense of superiority from the observer, implying a hierarchical difference.

be ostracized

Emphasizes exclusion from a group or community due to disapproval.

be condemned

Implies a formal or moral judgment against someone or something.

be disdained

Conveys a feeling of contempt and lack of respect.

be despised

Indicates strong dislike and aversion.

be rejected

Focuses on the act of being turned down or refused, without necessarily implying scorn.

be disapproved of

Implies disagreement and lack of support, often in a more subtle way.

be criticized

Highlights negative evaluation and fault-finding.

be censured

Suggests formal reprimand or disapproval, often by an authority.

FAQs

How can I use "be scorned upon" in a sentence?

You can use "be scorned upon" to describe a situation where someone or something faces strong disapproval or contempt. For example, "His ideas were scorned upon by the scientific community".

What's a more formal way to say "be scorned upon"?

More formal alternatives include "be criticized", "be rejected", or "be disapproved of".

Is "be scorned upon" the same as "be scorned"?

While similar, "be scorned upon" emphasizes the external source of the scorn, whereas "be scorned" can be more general. The addition of "upon" highlights that the scorn is directed towards the subject from others.

When is it appropriate to use "be scorned upon"?

It's appropriate to use "be scorned upon" when describing situations where there is strong public disapproval or contempt directed towards a person or idea.