being acted upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being acted upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe a subject that is receiving an action rather than performing it, often in discussions about agency or passivity. Example: "In this scenario, the character is being acted upon by external forces, which shapes their development throughout the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Knowledge is not a fixed apprehension of something but a process of acting and being acted upon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He delineates the wavering cusp between experience and fact, the uncontrolled and the deliberate, being and having, acting and being acted upon - the gap in the "self-divided creature" we are.

The Guardian - Books

In Canada sometimes you feel you are in the center, but sometimes you feel you are in Indonesia, the Philippines or somewhere where you are being acted upon, not acting".

The New York Times

Usually what takes place, both when we are acting and when we are being acted upon, is some change in our mental or physical capacities, what Spinoza calls "an increase or decrease in our power of acting" or in our "power to persevere in being".

SEP

Countless Amis characters are not in control, or think they are acting and then discover they are being acted upon.

The Guardian - Books

Orbital elements, and hence the shape and orientation of the orbit, also vary with time because each object is gravitationally acting on, and being acted upon by, all other bodies in the solar system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, he thinks that there are ten: (1) substance; (2) quantity; (3) quality; (4) relatives; (5) somewhere; (6) sometime; (7) being in a position; (8) having; (9) acting; and (10) being acted upon (1b25 2a4).

SEP

General ASuicident Reporter, HuffPost.

Huffington Post

If therefore every perceptible body possesses the power of acting or of being acted upon, or both of these, it is impossible that an infinite body should be perceptible.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In other words, intuition happens only in the midst of the dialectical process of acting upon and in turn being acted upon by things.

SEP

He is not merely being acted upon.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being acted upon" when you want to emphasize the passive role of a subject receiving an action, particularly when discussing cause and effect or agency.

Common error

Avoid using "being acted upon" when the subject is actually initiating the action. This can create confusion about who or what is responsible for the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being acted upon" functions as part of a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence is receiving an action rather than performing it. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment and examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being acted upon" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe a subject receiving an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile, appearing in neutral to formal contexts, particularly within news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, ensure you're accurately portraying the subject as the recipient of an action, and consider alternatives like "being influenced" or "being affected" based on the specific nuance you intend to convey. By avoiding misuse and understanding its purpose, you can effectively use "being acted upon" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being influenced

This alternative suggests a more general form of impact, lacking the specific sense of an action being performed on something.

being affected

Similar to "being influenced", this highlights the result of an action or event rather than the action itself.

experiencing effects

This phrase emphasizes the experience of consequences from an external source.

undergoing influence

This phrase puts emphasis in the process of receiving the influence.

subjected to action

Highlights the compulsory nature of the action.

on the receiving end

Indicates a passive role in a situation, often with negative implications.

being manipulated

Implies a controlling influence, often with deceitful intent.

under someone's control

Suggests direct control or domination by an external agent.

at the mercy of

Highlights a state of vulnerability and dependence on an external force.

bearing the brunt

Implies enduring the main force or impact of something, usually negative.

FAQs

How can I use "being acted upon" in a sentence?

Use "being acted upon" to describe something or someone receiving an action, as in, "The metal "is being acted upon" by a corrosive acid."

What are some alternatives to saying "being acted upon"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "being influenced", "being affected", or "subjected to action".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with phrases like "being acted upon"?

The choice depends on the focus. Use passive voice with "being acted upon" when the recipient of the action is more important than the actor. Active voice is better when the actor is more relevant.

What's the difference between "being acted upon" and "being influenced"?

"Being acted upon" implies a more direct action, while "being influenced" suggests a more subtle or indirect effect. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.