be subjected to

USAGE SUMMARY

'be subjected to' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation wherein someone has to bear something unpleasant or unfavorable. For example: The new employees were subjected to an intense training program.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They can be subjected to such cruelty.

The New York Times

Its decisions cannot be subjected to appeal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Everybody can be subjected to harm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Children need not be subjected to deeply uncomfortable conditions.

The Guardian

Each player can be subjected to two tests.

The New York Times - Sports

This claim must be subjected to proper scrutiny.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like all dissident voices, his will be subjected to attacks.

The New Yorker

She wouldn't allow herself to be subjected to it".

The Guardian - Opinion

The new paper will be subjected to inspection and criticism.

The New Yorker

From December 1, German readers will be subjected to it.

The Guardian

Workers can be subjected to moral, sexual and physical abuse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be subjected to" when you want to emphasize that someone or something is passively receiving or undergoing an action, often with negative connotations. For example, "The experiment participants were subjected to a series of psychological tests."

Common error

Avoid using "subject to" when you mean "be subjected to". "Subject to" indicates conditionality or dependence, whereas "be subjected to" implies undergoing something. For example, it's incorrect to say "The data is subject to analysis" when you mean "The data will be subjected to analysis."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be subjected to" is to act as a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is receiving or undergoing an action, rather than performing it. As Ludwig AI notes, it often implies something unpleasant or undesirable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be subjected to" is a common phrase used to indicate that someone or something undergoes an action, often negative or unwanted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase is most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "be subjected to", ensure you distinguish it from "subject to", which denotes conditionality. Remember to employ this phrase when you want to emphasize the passive reception of an action. Alternatives include phrases like "be exposed to" or "be forced to endure", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be exposed to

Focuses on the act of being open to or encountering something, without necessarily implying a negative consequence.

be exposed to undergo

Implies a more formal or structured process of experiencing something.

be made to endure

Highlights the aspect of having to withstand or tolerate something difficult.

be forced to experience

Emphasizes the lack of choice in having something happen to you.

be compelled to undergo

Suggests a strong obligation or pressure to experience something.

be liable to experience

Indicates a high probability or risk of encountering something.

be open to experiencing

Signifies the potential or possibility of something happening.

be a victim of

Implies that something negative or harmful happens to someone.

be at the mercy of

Suggests a state of helplessness and dependence on external forces.

be a target of

Indicates that someone or something is intentionally subjected to something.

FAQs

How can I use "be subjected to" in a sentence?

You can use "be subjected to" to indicate that someone or something undergoes or experiences something, often unpleasant or unwanted. For example, "The prisoners were "be subjected to" harsh conditions".

What are some alternatives to "be subjected to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be exposed to", "be forced to endure", or "be made to undergo", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "subject to" and "be subjected to"?

"Subject to" indicates that something is conditional or dependent on something else, whereas ""be subjected to"" means to undergo or experience something, often involuntarily.

Is "be subjected to" formal or informal?

"Be subjected to" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts.