beaten by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beaten by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been defeated or outperformed by someone else in a competition or challenge. Example: "The team was beaten by their rivals in the championship game last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Beaten by Rene La Coste.

The New Yorker

Beaten by Vincent Richards.

The New Yorker

Beaten by a woman?

The New York Times - Sports

They hate being beaten by China.

The New York Times

"He was beaten by bad luck.

The New York Times - Sports

John Ruiz was beaten by Roy Jones.

Independent

Dani beaten by shear numbers.

The Guardian - Sport

2010 Beaten by Yanukovych in presidential election.

The Guardian

Kyle Edmund: beaten by Jerzy Janowicz.

The Guardian - Sport

Cleveland was beaten by Buffalo 26-10.

The Guardian - Sport

McClafferty was beaten by her first husband.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beaten by", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what caused the defeat. For example, specify if it was "beaten by" a person, team, or circumstance.

Common error

Avoid replacing "beaten by" with an active voice construction that obscures the subject who performed the beating. For example, instead of "The enemy beaten the squad" say "The squad was beaten by the enemy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beaten by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being defeated. Ludwig provides many examples where "beaten by" highlights the agent of defeat.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beaten by" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express defeat or being outperformed. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides numerous real-world examples showcasing its versatility. When writing, be mindful of clearly identifying the agent causing the defeat. While generally acceptable, more formal synonyms like "defeated by" might be preferred in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defeated by

A direct synonym, indicating loss or failure in a competition or conflict.

bested by

Suggests being outdone or surpassed in skill or ability.

outdone by

Similar to 'bested by', emphasizing being surpassed in achievement.

overcome by

Implies being overwhelmed or subdued by a force or opponent.

trounced by

Indicates a heavy and decisive defeat.

surpassed by

Focuses on exceeding a previous level or performance.

vanquished by

A more formal term for defeated, often used in historical or literary contexts.

edged out by

Refers to a narrow defeat, often in sports or competition.

conquered by

Implies a complete and decisive victory by the opponent.

dominated by

Suggests being controlled or heavily influenced by another entity.

FAQs

How can I use "beaten by" in a sentence?

Use "beaten by" to indicate that someone or something has been defeated. For example, "The champion was "defeated by" a newcomer".

What's the difference between "beaten by" and "defeated by"?

"Beaten by" and "defeated by" are largely synonymous. "Beaten by" can sometimes imply a more physical or decisive defeat, but in many contexts, they are interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to saying "beaten by"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "overcome by", "bested by", or "trounced by" as alternatives to "beaten by".

Is it always appropriate to use "beaten by" in formal writing?

While "beaten by" is generally acceptable, in more formal contexts, consider using "defeated by" or "vanquished by" to convey a more sophisticated tone.