been met with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been met with" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to describe a reaction or response that someone or something has received. Example: The new policy has been met with mixed reactions from the employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The suggestion has been met with silence.

Independent

This claim has been met with skepticism.

The New York Times

It already has been met with mixed reviews.

The New York Times

Occasionally, we have been met with eye rolls or exasperation.

The New York Times

Not surprisingly, the investigation has been met with some suspicion.

The New York Times

His efforts have often been met with skepticism from advocates.

The New York Times

North Korea's actions have been met with unanimous condemnation.

The Economist

Wade's previous creations have also been met with controversy.

Independent

Rarely has an appointment been met with such high expectations.

The New Yorker

Mr. Maghraby's acquittal has been met with some surprise.

The New York Times

But now, WikiLeaks has been met with new doubts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been met with" to clearly indicate a reaction or response to a specific action, proposal, or event. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to emphasize how something was received, whether positively or negatively.

Common error

While "been met with" is a valid passive construction, overuse can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider rephrasing with active voice to create more direct and impactful sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been met with" functions as part of a passive construction, indicating how something (an action, proposal, or event) was received or reacted to. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a response. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts like "been met with criticism" or "been met with silence".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been met with" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that serves to describe the reception or reaction something has received. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and widely accepted construction. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a sense of how actions, proposals, or events have been evaluated by others. While it is often used appropriately, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice. Alternatives include words like "received" or "elicited". By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively employ "been met with" to add depth and clarity to their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

met with a response of

This is a longer, more explicit way of saying "been met with", adding redundancy while maintaining the core meaning.

received

This is a more general term that indicates the act of getting something, which can be a reaction or response. It's more direct and less idiomatic.

encountered

This alternative is a single-word verb that directly indicates an experience or confrontation, differing in its lack of a prepositional phrase.

elicited

This term emphasizes the act of provoking or drawing out a response, making it suitable when the focus is on the cause of the reaction.

provoked

Similar to 'elicited', but with a stronger connotation of causing a specific reaction, often negative.

sparked

This suggests initiating a sudden or intense reaction, differing by focusing on the immediate impact of an action.

evoked

This indicates that something has brought forth or summoned a particular response, differing by being more passive and suggestive.

triggered

Implies a more forceful or automated reaction, changing the emphasis from a general reception to a specific consequence.

given rise to

This phrase indicates something has caused or led to a particular reaction, differing in its focus on origination.

resulted in

This phrase focuses on the outcome or consequence of an action, differing by being more outcome-oriented.

FAQs

How can I use "been met with" in a sentence?

You can use "been met with" to describe a reaction or response to something. For example, "The proposal has "been met with resistance"" or "The new policy has "been met with approval"".

What are some alternatives to "been met with"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "received", "elicited", or "provoked" to convey a similar meaning. Each alternative carries slightly different connotations regarding the nature of the reaction.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "been met with"?

While "been met with" is grammatically correct in passive voice, consider using active voice for a more direct style. For example, instead of "The announcement has been met with criticism", you could say "Critics have "criticized" the announcement".

What's the difference between "been met with" and "encountered"?

"Been met with" implies a reaction or response, whereas "encountered" simply means to come across or experience something. "Been met with" is more about the reception of an action or idea.