being judged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being judged" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where someone is evaluating or forming an opinion about another person or situation. Example: "She felt anxious about being judged by her peers." Alternative expressions include "being evaluated" and "being assessed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Any decent human being hates being judged by a number.

The Guardian - Money

Fear of being judged.

Independent

Is Bill being judged illogically?

The New York Times - Science

People were being judged on food choices.

Independent

"I hated the idea of being judged.

Independent

"You don't feel like you're being judged.

The New York Times - Books

"I'm the one who's being judged?

The New Yorker

I feel like I was being judged".

The New York Times

Teachers say students are being judged unfairly.

The Guardian

And what exactly is being judged?

The Guardian - Music

"Because you're afraid of being judged.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific criteria (e.g. "being judged on appearance") to provide clarity and depth to your sentence.

Common error

Do not use "being judged" when you simply mean someone is being watched. Judgment implies a moral, social, or qualitative conclusion is being drawn. If no evaluation is taking place, use "being observed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being judged" functions as a passive gerund-participle phrase. It is used to indicate that the subject is the recipient of the action (judgment) rather than the performer. In sentences like "she hated being judged", it acts as the direct object of the verb. Ludwig's database shows this structure is highly effective for conveying a sense of passivity or vulnerability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being judged" is a robust and essential part of the English language, used to describe the ubiquitous human experience of evaluation. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently encountered in high-quality journalism and social commentary to discuss issues ranging from body image to political performance. While it is often associated with negative feelings like fear or anxiety, its grammatical structure is impeccably versatile, allowing it to function in both formal reports and personal narratives. To elevate your writing, consider whether the specific context requires the emotional weight of "being judged" or the clinical precision of an alternative like "being assessed". Overall, it remains the standard expression for describing the state of being under someone else's critical eye.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being evaluated

Uses a more formal and objective tone, often used in professional or academic performance contexts.

being scrutinized

Implies a much more intense and detailed level of observation or examination.

being assessed

Commonly used in contexts of measurement, testing, or systematic review.

facing criticism

Focuses specifically on the negative outcome of being judged rather than the process itself.

under observation

Describes the state of being watched without necessarily implying an immediate moral or social verdict.

being appraised

Often refers to the determination of value or quality, frequently used for objects or skills.

getting sized up

An informal idiom describing the act of someone forming an initial opinion about another.

being condemned

A much stronger term implying a final negative judgment or punishment.

being stereotyped

Refers to a specific type of judgment based on group characteristics rather than individual merit.

under the microscope

A metaphorical expression highlighting extreme and sometimes uncomfortable attention.

FAQs

What is the difference between "being judged" and "being evaluated"?

While both involve assessment, "being evaluated" is typically more formal and objective, whereas "being judged" often carries a more subjective or emotional weight, frequently implying social or moral disapproval.

What can I say instead of "being judged"?

Depending on your specific meaning, you could use alternatives like "being scrutinized", "being assessed", or "under examination".

Is it correct to say "I fear being judged"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. This construction uses the gerund form of the passive voice to describe the object of the fear.

Can "being judged" be used in a positive way?

It is rare, as the phrase usually implies a lack of autonomy or an uncomfortable vulnerability. However, in contexts like professional sports or talent shows, people might say they are looking forward to "being judged fairly" to prove their worth.