being visited upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"being visited upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the consequences of an action or condition falling upon a person or people. For example, "The harsh punishment of exile was being visited upon the family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Senators competed to evoke to the greatest effect the horrors being visited upon Russians in Ukraine.

The Economist

And here it was being visited upon me as a 17-year-old.

The Guardian

Mr. Giuliani has blamed the press for the humiliations being visited upon him and everyone around him.

The New Yorker

As Diane Ravitch has noted on her blog and elsewhere, the demoralizing effect is being visited upon those who can least afford the discouragement.

The New Yorker

But it's hard to appreciate them fully after all this revelatory exhibition has shown being visited upon women and their bodies.

The New York Times - Arts

Any bad outcome church leaders might have feared when the allegations were first made is being visited upon them tenfold now.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

This was visited upon her.

The New York Times

He was visited upon me once before.

The New York Times

In my experience, no-hopers would sometimes be visited upon my father.

The Guardian

In this case, it appears, Serbian vengeance was visited upon the Delijajs.

The New York Times

And in his Bible-haunted state, many said a terrible judgment had been visited upon him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being visited upon" to convey a sense of something significant or impactful happening to someone or something, often with negative connotations or a sense of inevitability.

Common error

Avoid using "being visited upon" in casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "happening to" or "experiencing" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being visited upon" functions as part of a passive construction, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of an action or condition. It often implies a sense of inevitability or a significant impact. Ludwig's examples show it being used in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being visited upon" is a phrase used in passive constructions to describe something impactful or consequential happening to someone or something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively common, particularly in news and media contexts, it carries a formal tone and should be used judiciously in informal settings. Related phrases like "being inflicted on" or "being subjected to" can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. Understanding its usage and context is vital for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being inflicted on

Replaces "visited upon" with "inflicted on", emphasizing a more forceful or harmful imposition.

being subjected to

Substitutes "visited upon" with "subjected to", highlighting the experience of undergoing something, often unpleasant.

experiencing

A more direct way of expressing that someone is undergoing something.

undergoing

Focuses on the process of going through a particular experience, often a difficult one.

being affected by

Uses "affected by" instead of "visited upon", indicating a more general influence or impact.

befalling

Replaces the entire phrase with "befalling", a more literary term for something happening to someone.

descending upon

Emphasizes a sudden or overwhelming arrival or impact.

happening to

A simpler way of indicating that something is occurring to a person or thing.

being encountered

Suggests a more passive or accidental experience.

coming upon

Implies a chance encounter or discovery.

FAQs

How can I use "being visited upon" in a sentence?

Use "being visited upon" to describe something negative or impactful that is happening to someone or something. For example, "The financial ruin was "being visited upon" the company due to the scandal".

What's a good alternative to "being visited upon"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "being inflicted on", "being subjected to", or simply "experiencing".

Is "being visited upon" formal or informal?

"Being visited upon" tends to be more formal and is often found in news articles or more formal writing. Simpler phrases are better suited for informal contexts.

What does "being visited upon" imply?

The phrase often implies that something is happening to someone or something, and it usually has a negative connotation. It suggests that the thing that is happening is significant and impactful.