being put upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being put upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone feels burdened or taken advantage of by others. Example: "She felt like she was being put upon by her colleagues who always expected her to take on extra work without any recognition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He seems to relish being put upon, even at home.

The New York Times

Considerable effort is being put upon the desire to overcome practical difficulties and limitations as found in real-world systems.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

"If she believed the interpretation that was being put upon what she said, she would have been out," a source said.

The Guardian

Those who believe workers are being put upon need to visit some factory floors to see what is really being done out there.Alexander Blanton Senior analyst Clear Harbor Asset Management New York.

The Economist

(2) It offends against the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, especial stress being put upon the exceptions of the statute, which are asserted to be discriminations in violation of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by that Amendment.

Cornell University

"The fact that he was Jewish set him apart in a sense, but I've got to say he made friends easily in the school and there was no question of him being put upon because of his background". Hecht was naturalised as a British citizen in December 1947 and took an oath of allegiance in Llanelli in January 1948.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Too much pressure is put upon students and school systems to prepare for and achieve on standardized tests.

The New York Times

It's not that that wasn't a reasonable answer, but sort of acting as if they're put upon by the request.

Harvard Business Review

And the fact that grade crossing improvements may be expensive is no sufficient reason to say that an unconstitutional "burden" is put upon a railroad, even though it be an interstate road.

Cornell University

"People are really angry and my sense is they're angry at Republicans, independents and Democrats because they feel that they're put upon by the ruling class," Gidwitz said.

Los Angeles Times

Intense pressure is put upon students (and their parents) to create a "Mission Project" that glorifies the era and glosses over both Spanish and Mexican exploitation of Indians, as well as enslavement of those same Indians during U.S. rule.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the subtle difference between "being put upon" and other similar phrases like "being exploited" or "being burdened" to ensure your word choice accurately reflects the situation you're describing.

Common error

While "being put upon" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem vague or indirect. Whenever possible, rephrase the sentence in active voice to improve clarity and impact. For example, instead of "She felt like she was being put upon", try "Her colleagues exploited her kindness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being put upon" functions as a passive construction, typically used as part of a verb phrase. It describes the state of an individual or group who is experiencing unfair burdens or demands. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being put upon" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a situation where someone feels unfairly burdened or exploited. Ludwig AI confirms its linguistic validity. While versatile across various contexts, consider the nuance you wish to convey and the formality of the setting when choosing alternatives. Overuse of the passive voice should also be avoided for clarity. Use "being put upon" when you want to highlight a feeling of being taken advantage of, but be mindful of its subtle implications and possible alternatives for the best communicative impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being exploited

Focuses on the unfair use of someone for another's benefit.

being taken advantage of

Highlights the opportunistic nature of the imposition.

being burdened

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty imposed on someone.

being imposed upon

Stresses the authoritative or forceful nature of the burden.

being saddled with

Implies being given an unwelcome responsibility or task.

being oppressed

Suggests a more severe and systemic form of being put upon.

being victimized

Highlights the harm and injustice experienced.

being trifled with

Indicates being treated lightly or disrespectfully.

being pushed around

Focuses on the bullying or domineering aspect of the imposition.

being used

Highlights the manipulative aspect of the situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence using "being put upon"?

Instead of saying someone is "being put upon", you can use phrases like "being exploited", "being taken advantage of", or "being burdened" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to emphasize.

What does it mean when someone feels like they are "being put upon"?

It means they feel burdened, exploited, or taken advantage of by others. They perceive that unreasonable demands or expectations are being placed on them.

Is it more appropriate to use "being put upon" in formal or informal contexts?

"Being put upon" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in formal settings, consider alternatives like "being imposed upon" for a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "being put upon" and "being stressed"?

"Being stressed" describes a state of mental or emotional strain, while "being put upon" describes a situation where someone feels unfairly burdened or exploited by external demands or expectations. You can be stressed without being put upon, and vice versa.