be tainted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be tainted by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been negatively affected or contaminated by an external influence. Example: "The reputation of the organization may be tainted by the recent scandal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would Giggs be tainted by association?

The Guardian - Sport

Both parties will be tainted by the mess.

The Economist

"They don't want Trayvon's legacy to be tainted by violence.

The Guardian

"Latinos don't want to be tainted by this broad brush".

The New York Times

This president's legacy will forever be tainted by what he overpromised and how much he underperformed.

The Economist

But like him, he could forever be tainted by blood shed in Hama.

The Economist

In any case, whatever research comes out of BP's efforts will be tainted by secrecy.

The New York Times

Republicans say the document shows that the investigation may be tainted by political bias.

The Washington Post

They will be tainted by their very association with the foreign occupier.

The Guardian

He ruined her moment of glory and forever after she will be tainted by his words.

The Guardian - Sport

The words, and the notions they express, have always be tainted by association with western encroachment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be tainted by" when you want to express that something has been negatively affected or contaminated, suggesting a loss of purity or integrity. It often implies an external influence that has a damaging effect.

Common error

Avoid using "tainted" when a more neutral term like "affected" or "influenced" would be more appropriate. "Tainted" carries a strong negative connotation, so ensure the context warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be tainted by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is receiving a negative influence or contamination. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, suggesting it describes something negatively affected by an external influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be tainted by" is a commonly used passive construction that indicates something has been negatively affected or contaminated by an external influence. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While "be tainted by" effectively conveys a sense of compromised integrity or purity, it's important to consider related phrases like "be corrupted by" or "be sullied by" for nuanced expression. Avoid overuse in neutral contexts where a more general term like "affected" would suffice. Overall, "be tainted by" is a valuable tool for expressing concern about negative impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be corrupted by

Focuses on moral decay or destruction of integrity, suggesting a stronger negative impact than simply being tainted.

be sullied by

Emphasizes the staining or dirtying aspect, suggesting a loss of purity or reputation.

be stained by

Implies a lasting mark or blemish that is difficult to remove.

be compromised by

Highlights the weakening or impairment of something, often in a security or ethical context.

be tarnished by

Highlights the dulling or diminishing of luster or shine.

be marred by

Suggests that something good is spoiled or flawed by an undesirable element.

be discredited by

Focuses on the loss of credibility or believability.

be affected by

A more general term indicating an influence, which may or may not be negative.

be spoiled by

Suggests that something positive is ruined or made less enjoyable by something negative.

be influenced negatively by

More explicitly indicates a negative impact, but lacks the strong connotation of defilement.

FAQs

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

Use "be tainted by" to indicate that something has been negatively affected or contaminated by an external influence. For example, "The investigation may "be tainted by" political bias."

What can I say instead of "be tainted by"?

You can use alternatives like "be corrupted by", "be sullied by", or "be compromised by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is tainted by" or "be tainted by"?

"Be tainted by" is grammatically correct in passive voice constructions and infinitive phrases. "Is tainted by" is correct when used with a subject, such as "The evidence is tainted by fraud".

What's the difference between "be tainted by" and "be influenced by"?

"Be tainted by" implies a negative impact, suggesting contamination or loss of purity, whereas "be influenced by" is a more neutral term that simply indicates an effect, which may or may not be negative.