discriminated against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discriminated against" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which someone is treated differently or unfairly because of their race, gender, religion, or any other distinguishing characteristics. For example, "Women have been discriminated against in the workplace for many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes men are discriminated against.

The New York Times

Sometimes whites are discriminated against.

The New York Times

Is Turkey being discriminated against?

The Economist

They discriminated against Asian-Americans.

The New York Times

It's not discriminated against.

The Guardian

I am discriminated against.

The Guardian

He might be poor and discriminated against.

The New York Times

The Darfuris felt marginalised and discriminated against.

The Economist

They are discriminated against in the workplace.

The New York Times

Laws that discriminated against women were removed.

The New York Times

"They were discriminated against," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about discrimination, be specific about the grounds on which someone is being "discriminated against" (e.g., race, gender, religion). This adds clarity and impact to your message.

Common error

Don't just say someone is "discriminated against". Always clarify what specific actions or policies constitute the discrimination. This makes your argument more persuasive and less open to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discriminated against" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of discriminatory actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discriminated against" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express that someone has been treated unfairly due to certain characteristics. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is suitable for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media, but also in less formal settings. When using this phrase, it is important to specify the grounds for discrimination to provide clarity and impact. While alternatives like "subjected to discrimination" or "treated unfairly" exist, "discriminated against" remains a direct and widely understood way to address issues of inequality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Subjected to discrimination

Emphasizes the act of discrimination being imposed on someone.

Victimized by prejudice

Highlights the harm caused by prejudiced attitudes.

Treated unfairly

A more general term for unequal treatment.

Unfairly treated

Reverses the order of the initial phrase, keeping the core meaning.

Targeted due to prejudice

Suggests a direct and intentional act of discrimination.

Marginalized

Focuses on being pushed to the fringes of society.

Subject to bias

Highlights the presence of prejudice influencing treatment.

Penalized

Implies a specific punishment or disadvantage.

Disadvantaged

Focuses on the resulting lack of opportunities.

Oppressed

Indicates a prolonged and systematic form of mistreatment.

FAQs

How can I use "discriminated against" in a sentence?

You can use "discriminated against" to describe situations where individuals or groups are treated unfairly due to certain characteristics. For example, "Women have historically been "discriminated against" in the workplace".

What are some alternatives to "discriminated against"?

Alternatives include "subjected to discrimination", "treated unfairly", or "marginalized". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify the reason why someone is "discriminated against"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the basis for discrimination (e.g., race, religion, gender) adds crucial context and makes the statement more impactful and clear. Omitting it can lead to vagueness.

What's the difference between "discriminated against" and "oppressed"?

"Discriminated against" refers to specific instances of unfair treatment, while "oppressed" implies a more prolonged and systematic form of mistreatment and denial of rights.