done to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "done to me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something has been done by someone else that affects the speaker personally, often in a negative or impactful way. Example: "I can't believe the way they treated me; it's not something I expected to be done to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What was done to me?

The New York Times

"This was something done to me.

Independent

"It's been done to me, you know".

The New Yorker

"What have you done to me?

The Guardian

I wouldn't like that done to me.

The Guardian

An injustice has been done to me.

The Guardian

"What was done to me this week was appalling cruelty.

The Guardian - Music

I realised what he had done to me.

The Guardian

"I know what he's done to me," Benitez said.

The New York Times - Sports

I have never liked it being done to me".

The New York Times

That's what this music has always done to me".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "done to me", ensure clarity regarding the actor and the action. Specify who or what performed the action and what the consequences were. For example, instead of saying "It was done to me", provide more context like "The decision was done to me by the management, without prior consultation".

Common error

Avoid using "done to me" in contexts where the actor is unknown or intentionally obscured. Overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or evasive. If possible, rephrase the sentence to highlight the active agent. Instead of "An injustice has been done to me", try "They committed an injustice against me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "done to me" primarily functions as a part of a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence has received an action, rather than performing it. Ludwig shows examples where the phrase is used to express feelings of injustice, violation, or personal impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "done to me" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe the impact of actions performed by others on the speaker. According to Ludwig, this phrase frequently appears in news and media contexts, conveying experiences of injustice, violation, or passive acceptance. To ensure clarity, specify the actor and action when using this phrase. While correct, be mindful of overusing the passive voice, opting for active voice when possible to strengthen your writing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is both correct and usable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

committed against me

Highlights an act of aggression, betrayal, or violation.

perpetrated on me

Focuses on a criminal or morally wrong action affecting the speaker.

inflicted upon me

Emphasizes a more forceful or harmful action.

subjected to me

Highlights the experience of being forced to undergo something.

imposed on me

Highlights the idea of something being forced or thrust upon the speaker.

carried out on me

Focuses on the execution of a plan or action directly affecting the speaker.

exacted on me

Implies that something was demanded or extracted from the speaker, often unwillingly.

happened to me

A more general term for something occurring to the speaker, without necessarily implying agency.

experienced by me

Emphasizes personal involvement and undergoing a particular event or situation.

wrought upon me

Implies a significant or transformative effect.

FAQs

How can I use "done to me" in a sentence?

You can use "done to me" to describe an action performed by someone or something that has affected you. For example, "I can't believe what was "done to me"; it was completely unfair".

What are some alternatives to "done to me"?

Alternatives include "inflicted upon me", "committed against me", or "subjected to me", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "done to me"?

Yes, "done to me" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction indicating that an action was performed on the speaker.

What is the difference between "done to me" and "done by me"?

"Done to me" indicates that someone else performed an action that affected you, while "done by me" indicates that you performed the action yourself. They have opposite meanings.