being oppressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being oppressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of suffering or being subjected to harsh treatment, often in a social or political context. Example: "The community has been struggling for years, with many members feeling that they are being oppressed by the current regime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I wanted to make sure I was giving a voice to oppression and people being oppressed".

Vice

'While Catholics were talking about 500 years of oppression, Protestants, in turn, were being oppressed by the IRA.

The Guardian

I could feel consumers everywhere being oppressed.

The New York Times

Men are always being oppressed by bloody feminism, aren't they?

Independent

His friend, Morrison Nido, 30, said, "It's like being oppressed".

The New York Times

"We are being oppressed and marginalised and we need scrutiny".

The Guardian

But we are being oppressed with no evidence whatsoever.

The Guardian

When he announced t his Sudeten Germans were being oppressed by Czech bullies he was jostling.

The New Yorker

"I think what's happening in the region, women being oppressed again, this is connecting with people".

The New York Times

But it seems to me that we are now being oppressed by a dictatorship government.

University of California, Berkeley

I'm going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being oppressed", ensure the context clearly identifies the oppressor and the nature of the oppression. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Don't use "being oppressed" without providing specific details about the form of oppression. Vague statements can weaken your argument and make it difficult for readers to understand the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being oppressed" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a subject complement or part of a larger verb phrase. It describes the state of experiencing oppression. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being oppressed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the state of enduring unjust treatment or hardship. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity, highlighting its prevalence in news, media, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that you clearly identify the nature of the oppression to avoid vague generalizations. Consider alternatives such as "experiencing oppression" or "suffering from oppression" to achieve a nuance, but be sure to pick the phrasing that most accurately represents the specific issue. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate the gravity of the situation while maintaining clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing oppression

Replaces the gerund form with a noun phrase, emphasizing the state of oppression.

suffering from oppression

Highlights the negative impact and pain caused by oppression.

subjected to injustice

Focuses on the unfairness and lack of justice in the treatment.

facing discrimination

Emphasizes the discriminatory aspect of the unfair treatment.

undergoing persecution

Implies a more severe and systematic form of oppression, often religiously or politically motivated.

being marginalized

Highlights the exclusion and isolation resulting from oppression.

living under tyranny

Focuses on oppressive governance and authoritarian rule.

enduring hardship

Broadens the scope to include general difficulties and suffering.

victimized by power

Highlights how the oppressive forces are abuses of power.

exploited and abused

Focuses on the way in which oppressive forces derive benefits from other people.

FAQs

How can I use "being oppressed" in a sentence?

You can use "being oppressed" to describe a state of enduring unjust treatment or hardship, as in "The community feels it is "being oppressed" by the new regulations".

What are some alternatives to "being oppressed"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives like "experiencing oppression", "suffering from oppression", or "facing discrimination".

Is it accurate to use "being oppressed" to describe emotional distress?

While "being oppressed" typically refers to systemic or institutional injustice, it can be used metaphorically to describe situations where someone feels emotionally suppressed or controlled. However, consider whether a more precise term might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "being oppressed" and "being suppressed"?

"Being oppressed" generally implies ongoing unjust treatment or hardship imposed by a dominant group, while "being suppressed" suggests that one's actions, speech, or expression are being forcibly prevented or controlled.