been a target for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been a target for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has been the focus of criticism, attack, or scrutiny over a period of time. Example: "The organization has been a target for various activist groups due to its controversial policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We've probably been a target for years," she sighed.

The New York Times

"Morgan has been a target for some time".

The New York Times

"We've been a target for quite a while now.

The New York Times - Sports

Eg5, a mitotic kinesin, has been a target for anticancer drug development.

Stanford University

Foreign aid has for years been a target for Congressional scorn and budget cuts.

The New York Times

Yemen has been a target for Mr. bin Laden and his associates.

The New York Times

With its long, unguarded coastline, Italy has long been a target for illegal immigrants.

The New York Times

Clinton's private email server appears to have been a target for hackers.

The Guardian

Because of its geographical position it has always been a target for invasion.

The New Yorker

Not, she said, that she has ever been a target for paparazzi.

The New York Times

A smart & very partisan man, Coelho had been a target for Republicans for some time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been a target for", ensure that the context clearly identifies the source or reason for the targeting. This helps to provide a complete and understandable picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid vague statements by always clarifying who is doing the targeting. Instead of saying "The project has been a target for", specify "The project has been a target for budget cuts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been a target for" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that the subject has consistently been the object of unwanted attention or action. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatical and very common, it specifies the condition of the subject in question.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

18%

Sports

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been a target for" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express that someone or something has consistently been the object of unwanted attention, criticism, or attacks. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in diverse writing contexts, particularly in news, scientific discussions, and sports reporting. To use it effectively, always specify who is doing the targeting to avoid vagueness, and consider alternatives like "been subjected to" or "been under fire from" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been a victim of

Indicates that the subject has suffered harm or loss as a result of something.

been under fire from

Implies active and intense criticism or attack.

been subjected to

Replaces "target" with a more passive term, focusing on the experience of undergoing something unpleasant.

attracted scrutiny from

Specifically highlights that the subject has garnered close inspection and potential criticism.

been vulnerable to

Emphasizes a lack of protection, suggesting susceptibility to harm or attack.

been susceptible to

Indicates a predisposition or tendency to be affected by something.

been exposed to

Highlights the state of being open or susceptible to something, often something negative.

been the focus of

Highlights being the center of attention or interest, which can be neutral or negative.

been prey to

Suggests a predatory relationship, where the subject is actively pursued and exploited.

drawn attention from

Focuses on attracting notice, which may be positive or negative, but often implies scrutiny.

FAQs

How can I use "been a target for" in a sentence?

You can use "been a target for" to indicate that someone or something has consistently been the focus of unwanted attention, criticism, or attacks. For example, "The company has "been a target for" environmental activists due to its pollution record".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "been a target for"?

Alternatives to "been a target for" include phrases like "been subjected to", "been vulnerable to", or "been under fire from", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "been a target for" and "been targeted by"?

While similar, "been a target for" implies a more continuous or ongoing state, whereas "been targeted by" suggests a specific action or event. Using "been targeted by" you describe something as a result of an action in the past, while using the sentence "been a target for" is a more ongoing observation.

When is it appropriate to use "been a target for" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "been a target for" when you want to emphasize that someone or something has consistently faced unwanted attention, criticism, or attacks over a period of time. For example, a political party is often "been a target for" their political opponents.