being burned by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being burned by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the experience of suffering harm or negative consequences from a situation or action, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "After investing in that failing startup, I felt like I was being burned by my poor judgment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But the 1995 burning happened at a time when black churches were being burned by the dozens in the south.

The Guardian

During the regular season, Martin, Kittles, Keith Van Horn and Richard Jefferson took turns being burned by Pierce.

The New York Times - Sports

Most uncollected rubbish ends up being burned by people fed up with it accumulating in front of their houses.

The Guardian

And the fuel being burned by the scores of freighters heading to and from Hong Kong and the nearby Pearl River Delta every day is nasty stuff indeed.

The New York Times

The great temple was built by Croesus, king of Lydia, about 550 bce and was rebuilt after being burned by a madman named Herostratus in 356 bce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The government also showed a video depicting a naked woman, chained and in a standing position, and screaming while being burned by a torch situated beneath her genitals.

The New York Times

Many "mom and pop" investors swore off stocks after being burned by the dot-com boom and bust more than a decade ago.

The New York Times

LONG ISLAND NASSAU COUNTY LEWIS BODI, 87, died Nov. 4 after being burned by a kerosene lantern at his Glen Cove home.

The New York Times

Less rapid trading by short-term speculators could be a good thing for buy-and-hold investors tired of being burned by the market.

The New York Times

He believes he has his first scoop when he finds that some of the dead bodies are being burned by Buddhist monks.

The New York Times - Arts

After being "burned" by her closest picker friend, who jumped ahead of her to another store, Greenberg, formerly of Decadestwo, will no longer "pick" with anybody else.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being burned by" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the source and nature of the harm or negative experience. For instance, "After investing in that failing startup, I felt like I was being burned by my poor judgment."

Common error

Avoid using "being burned by" in overly casual or informal settings where a more direct or simpler expression would be more appropriate. For example, instead of "I was being burned by the slow service at the restaurant", try "The slow service at the restaurant was frustrating."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being burned by" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically used to describe the experience of someone or something suffering negative consequences or harm as a result of an action, event, or entity. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in written English to describe suffering harm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being burned by" is a versatile passive verb phrase used to describe the experience of suffering harm or negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "suffering the consequences of" or "harmed by". When using it metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the source and nature of the harm. Avoid using it in overly casual settings where a simpler expression would be more appropriate. This phrase is a valuable tool for expressing negative impacts in a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmed by

A direct and concise alternative, focusing solely on the infliction of harm.

suffering the consequences of

This alternative shifts the focus to the result of an action, rather than the direct infliction of harm.

feeling the sting of

This alternative uses a more metaphorical and emotional term to describe the pain or discomfort experienced.

bearing the brunt of

This alternative emphasizes enduring the most severe or intense part of a negative experience.

getting stung by

This option emphasizes a sudden or unexpected negative experience, often involving disappointment or betrayal.

experiencing the backlash from

This phrase emphasizes the negative reaction or repercussions following a specific event or decision.

undergoing the fallout from

This alternative suggests dealing with the after-effects or repercussions of a particular event or situation.

paying the price for

This phrase conveys the idea of suffering a penalty or consequence for a previous action or choice.

impacted negatively by

Similar to 'adversely affected by', this phrase highlights the negative influence on a situation or entity.

adversely affected by

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the negative impact or influence on something.

FAQs

How can I use "being burned by" in a sentence?

You can use "being burned by" to describe the experience of suffering harm or negative consequences from a situation or action. For example: "Many investors swore off stocks after "being burned by" the dot-com boom and bust."

What are some alternatives to "being burned by"?

Alternatives include "suffering the consequences of", "harmed by", or "experiencing the backlash from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "being burned by"?

Yes, "being burned by" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express the experience of suffering negative consequences or harm from something.

What does it mean to say someone was "burned" in a business context?

In a business context, saying someone was "burned" often means they experienced a significant financial loss, betrayal, or negative outcome from a business deal or investment. It implies they were negatively affected by the experience.