being subjected to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being subjected to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to something which has been exposed to an event or experience. For example: "The citizens of the country have been subjected to a regime of oppressive laws."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I don't mind being subjected to scrutiny.

The Guardian - Opinion

Prisoners being subjected to electric shocks.

The Guardian

Now, gay people are being subjected to the same treatment.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's the Nazis who are being subjected to industrial genocide.

The Guardian - Arts

We may think, Why are we being subjected to this?

The New Yorker

They are also being subjected to aggressive questioning.

The New York Times

Increasingly, this market is being subjected to regulation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several Democrats who are being subjected to White House pressure are also hanging firm.

The New York Times

To avoid being subjected to "three strikes," many defendants plead guilty.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the meantime, these people are being subjected to a daily drumbeat from Beijing.

The New York Times

A generation grew up watching their cowed parents being subjected to abuse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being subjected to" to clearly indicate that someone or something is experiencing an action or process, especially when the actor is less important than the experience itself.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "being subjected to", as excessive use can make your writing sound indirect or vague. In some cases, an active voice construction may be clearer and more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being subjected to" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is receiving or undergoing a particular action or treatment. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being subjected to" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to describe the experience of undergoing an action or process. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used and accepted in English. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as in more formal contexts. When using "being subjected to", consider whether an active voice construction might be clearer, but appreciate its effectiveness for emphasizing the experience itself. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for professional and journalistic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undergoing

This term denotes the process of experiencing or enduring something, similar to "being subjected to" but with a broader application.

experiencing

This implies a direct involvement or exposure to something, close in meaning but less formal than "being subjected to".

exposed to

Focuses on the state of being open to influence or experience, aligning with the core sense of "being subjected to".

enduring

Highlights the act of bearing something difficult or unpleasant, similar to "being subjected to" in adverse scenarios.

under the influence of

This phrase describes the state of being affected by a force or entity, akin to how something is acted upon when "being subjected to".

at the mercy of

Implies a lack of control over the situation, often with negative connotations like "being subjected to".

vulnerable to

Highlights the susceptibility to harm or influence, similar to the lack of control inherent in "being subjected to".

a victim of

Emphasizes the negative consequences of an action or event, similar to the adverse implications of "being subjected to".

suffering from

Directly indicates distress or harm being experienced, closely resembling the passive reception in "being subjected to".

encountering

This term denotes the process of meeting something, implying a similar level of passive experience to "being subjected to".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "being subjected to" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "experiencing", "undergoing", or "facing", depending on the specific context. For instance, instead of "The city is "being subjected to" heavy rainfall", you could say "The city is experiencing heavy rainfall".

When is it appropriate to use "being subjected to" in formal writing?

It is suitable in formal writing when you want to emphasize the receiver of the action rather than the actor. For example, "The data was "being subjected to" rigorous analysis" highlights the analysis process itself.

What's the difference between "being subjected to" and "being exposed to"?

"Being exposed to" generally implies a less intense or intrusive experience than ""being subjected to"". Exposure suggests a passive encounter, while subjection indicates a more forceful or controlled process.

Is "being subjected to" always negative?

While often used in negative contexts to describe undesirable experiences, ""being subjected to"" can also be neutral or even positive, depending on the situation. For example, "The new material is "being subjected to" rigorous testing" isn't inherently negative.