corrupted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "corrupted by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been negatively influenced or altered by an external factor, often implying a loss of integrity or purity. Example: "The data was corrupted by a virus, leading to significant errors in the analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sophistication has been corrupted by cynicism.

The New York Times

The media, corrupted by phone hacking.

The Economist

White teeth, corrupted by darkness.

The Guardian - Books

Your young are corrupted by pleasure.

The New Yorker

Democracy was being corrupted by money.

The New York Times - Books

The legislative process is distorted, even corrupted, by the phenomenon.

The New Yorker

Even his words are corrupted by the twins' presence.

Independent

Spoiled and corrupted by materialism, television and violent video games.

The Economist

One is a policeman who was corrupted by them.

The New York Times

They have character, and have not been corrupted by power.

Independent

Has he been corrupted by ease and luxury?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "corrupted by", ensure the subject and the corrupting influence are clearly defined to maintain clarity and impact. For instance, specify what is being corrupted and what is causing the corruption.

Common error

Avoid using "corrupted by" in overly casual or trivial situations. While the phrase is versatile, its strong connotation of moral decay or significant degradation may sound hyperbolic if applied inappropriately. Consider milder alternatives like "influenced" or "affected" in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "corrupted by" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject has been negatively altered or debased by an external influence. As Ludwig AI demonstrates, it is used to describe a loss of integrity or purity due to an outside force.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "corrupted by" is a phrase used to describe something that has been negatively influenced or altered, often implying a loss of integrity or purity. As Ludwig AI analysis demonstrates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in both News & Media and Science, reflecting its versatility in describing various forms of degradation or negative impact. While generally neutral to formal in register, care should be taken to avoid overuse in trivial contexts. Alternatives such as ""tainted by"" or ""influenced negatively by"" can offer a more nuanced expression depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tainted by

Indicates a less severe form of corruption, often suggesting a stain or blemish rather than a complete change.

influenced negatively by

Focuses on the negative impact of an external force without necessarily implying a loss of purity or integrity.

debased by

Suggests a lowering of moral or ethical standards due to external influence.

spoiled by

Implies a loss of original quality or usefulness due to external factors.

contaminated by

Specifically refers to the introduction of harmful substances, either literal or figurative.

perverted by

Indicates a deviation from what is considered right or natural, often with a moral connotation.

marred by

Suggests that something has been damaged or its appearance has been spoiled.

undermined by

Implies that something has been weakened or destabilized by an external force.

vitiated by

Focuses on the impairment or destruction of the quality or effectiveness of something.

compromised by

Indicates a weakening or impairment, often in terms of security or integrity.

FAQs

How can I use "corrupted by" in a sentence?

Use "corrupted by" to indicate that something has been negatively affected or altered, losing its original integrity. For example, "The system was corrupted by a virus" or "His ideals were corrupted by greed".

What are some alternatives to "corrupted by"?

You can use alternatives like "tainted by", "influenced negatively by", or "debased by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "corrupted by" in formal writing?

Yes, "corrupted by" is suitable for formal writing when describing a serious negative impact or alteration. However, ensure the tone matches the severity of the situation and the overall register of the piece.

What's the difference between "influenced by" and "corrupted by"?

"Corrupted by" implies a negative change, a loss of purity, or a moral decay. "Influenced by" is more neutral, simply indicating that something has been affected without necessarily implying a negative outcome.