had been subjected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been subjected" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something has experienced or undergone a particular treatment or condition in the past. Example: "The participants had been subjected to rigorous testing before the study began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Half had been subjected to FGM and half had not.

The Guardian

Three said they had been subjected to electric shocks.

The New York Times

Francis said she too had been subjected to abusive remarks.

The Guardian

Daria had been subjected to a sustained attack".

The Guardian

They had been subjected to some intense pressure from José Mourinho's team.

The Guardian - Sport

All the abuse, every bit of the hurt I had been subjected to was laid bare.

The Washington Post

The plaintiffs said they had been subjected to beatings, humiliating searches and other abuses.

The New York Times

More than one in five women said they had been subjected to an unwanted sexual advance.

The New York Times

He had been subjected to the waterboard interrogation technique at least 183 times.

The New York Times

The company previously had announced that two political candidates had been subjected to spear-phishing attacks.

The Washington Post

The migrant workers had been subjected to appalling conditions, she added.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the subject of the sentence is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity about who or what experienced the action.

Common error

Avoid using "had been subjected" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The experiment had been subjected to several errors", consider "Several errors affected the experiment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been subjected" functions as a passive perfect construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence experienced a particular action or state before a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound construction frequently used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been subjected" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to describe an action or experience someone or something underwent in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and widespread use across diverse domains. It's particularly prevalent in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business contexts. While it is generally neutral to formal, writers should be mindful of using the active voice for clarity when appropriate. Related phrases like "had undergone" or "had experienced" can be used as alternatives depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had undergone

Focuses on the process of experiencing something, often implying a formal or structured experience.

had experienced

Emphasizes the personal experience of something, suggesting a more emotional or impactful event.

had faced

Highlights the act of confronting something, often implying difficulty or adversity.

had endured

Stresses the perseverance through something challenging or painful.

had been exposed to

Implies a passive experience of being affected by something, often without direct control.

had been a victim of

Specifically denotes that someone has suffered harm or injustice.

had fallen prey to

Suggests vulnerability and a negative outcome, often involving deception or exploitation.

had been put through

Emphasizes a deliberate process or ordeal that someone has been made to experience.

had been exposed

Conveys an involuntary experience where someone or something is revealed or made vulnerable.

had tasted

A more metaphorical usage, meaning to have experienced something, particularly something new or unusual.

FAQs

How can I use "had been subjected" in a sentence?

The phrase "had been subjected" indicates that someone or something underwent a particular experience or treatment in the past. Example: "The data "had been subjected" to rigorous analysis."

What are some alternatives to "had been subjected"?

You can use alternatives like "had undergone", "had experienced", or "had faced" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was subjected" instead of "had been subjected"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they convey different timeframes. "Was subjected" refers to a single instance in the past, while "had been subjected" refers to a past action completed before another point in the past. For example, "He was subjected to criticism" vs "He "had been subjected" to criticism before he released the statement."

What's the difference between "had been subjected to" and "was exposed to"?

"Had been subjected to" implies a more direct and often negative action or process, while "was exposed to" suggests a passive or unintentional encounter. For instance, "The prisoner "had been subjected to" torture", versus "The researcher was exposed to the virus".