had been persecuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been persecuted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has experienced persecution in the past, often in a historical or narrative context. Example: "Throughout history, many groups had been persecuted for their beliefs and practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Legal activists had said Mr. Li had been persecuted for defending unpopular clients.

The New York Times

He said that he had been persecuted by the Nazis for having a Jewish grandmother.

Independent

Some 300 writers proclaimed their solidarity with authors who had been persecuted or killed.

The New York Times - Books

He said Mr. Castro had been persecuted in Venezuela because he was born in Cuba.

The New York Times

He said he had committed no real crime and had been persecuted for being Jewish.

The New York Times

While my grandmother may not have worn the piece of cloth, she had been persecuted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Pope told reporters on his plane from Rome today that the church had been "persecuted" in that period.

The New York Times

When the Muslims arrived in Egypt and Syria, the Christians there (and some Jews) who had been persecuted by the Orthodox Christian imperial church willingly accepted Islam.

Princeton University

In many of the cases reviewed by investigators, Chinese immigrants said they had been persecuted for being Christian or followers of Falun Gong.

The New York Times

He said that he was living in "political exile," and saw himself as a dissident who had been persecuted for his views.

The New Yorker

The trial had become a focal point for legal activists, who said Mr. Li had been persecuted for defending unpopular clients.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been persecuted", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what caused the persecution and the reasons behind it for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "had been persecuted" excessively in passive constructions. When possible, rephrase to highlight the persecutors and their actions to create a more direct and engaging narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been persecuted" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. This construction is used to describe an action (persecution) that was completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig's examples illustrate how it conveys past suffering due to beliefs or identity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

13%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

HuffPost

2%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been persecuted" is a grammatically correct and common construction used to describe past experiences of persecution. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's often found in news and media, encyclopedias, and academic contexts. The phrase conveys that someone experienced prolonged ill-treatment or hostility in the past, often based on their beliefs or identity. While widely used, it is important to use this phrase with careful attention to who or what caused the persecution. Consider alternatives such as "suffered persecution" or "faced discrimination" to provide nuanced expression. Be aware of potentially overusing passive voice and highlight the persecutors when possible for a more engaging narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffered persecution

Focuses on the act of suffering, highlighting the experience of enduring hardship.

faced discrimination

Emphasizes unfair treatment and bias encountered by individuals or groups.

endured oppression

Highlights the sustained and unjust exercise of authority or power.

were victimized

Focuses on being a victim of crime or unfair treatment.

were targeted

Emphasizes the deliberate selection of individuals or groups for harmful treatment.

were oppressed

Similar to 'endured oppression' but can also refer to systemic oppression.

were discriminated against

Highlights the act of being treated unfairly based on certain characteristics.

were subjected to abuse

Focuses on the experience of being mistreated, physically or emotionally.

were marginalized

Highlights the process of being pushed to the edge of society.

were unfairly treated

A more general way of expressing that someone received unjust treatment.

FAQs

How is "had been persecuted" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had been persecuted" is used to describe past experiences of persecution. For example, "Many refugees claimed they "had been persecuted" in their home countries due to their religious beliefs."

What are some alternatives to "had been persecuted"?

Alternatives include "suffered persecution", "faced discrimination", or "endured oppression". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "had been persecuted" or "were persecuted"?

"Had been persecuted" indicates that the persecution occurred over a period ending at a specific point in the past, while "were persecuted" simply describes that persecution occurred at some point in the past. The choice depends on whether you need to emphasize the duration or completion of the persecution.

What is the difference between "persecuted" and "prosecuted"?

"Persecuted" means subjected to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs. "Prosecuted" means officially charged with a crime and brought to trial. For example, someone "had been persecuted" for their beliefs, while someone else "had been prosecuted" for theft.