had been subjugated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been subjugated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being dominated or oppressed in the past. Example: "The people had been subjugated for generations before they finally rose up against their oppressors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Wends, who had been subjugated by the Saxon margraves, resisted conversion to Christianity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, many of these civilizations had been subjugated by the European colonial powers by the end of the 19th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Manipur a Hindu princely state to the northwest of Myanmar (now in India) that had been subjugated in 1560 declared itself independent, and Ayutthaya also regained its independence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then the nations of the world, which had been subjugated by Assyria, would recognize the God of Israel as the lord of history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Meanwhile, Communist governments in Eastern Europe celebrated King as the champion of the "other America," the America that had been subjugated by capitalist tyranny.

The New York Times

I say that what resistance there was had been subjugated by the time we arrived – this discourse continues a good while.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"There may be short-term pain for university departments who have been subjugated by Brussels on research funding.

The Guardian - Business

From the Jacobins onwards, women's rights and every other right have been subjugated to the cause of the revolution.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Valuev (49-1, 34 knockouts), who presents unique obstacles with his height, Holyfield's strength training has been subjugated by conditioning.

The New York Times - Sports

Although the Native American peoples of Arizona, since the time of the Spanish conquistadores, have been subjugated, badly exploited, and abused much as they were elsewhere this did not cause the total annihilation or permanent displacement of their population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Achebe lampooned, in a prophetic way, the post-independence crop of elites – and the present leadership – who, rather than engineer a revolution in the emergent modern African states we are in, allowed us to be sucked in by the vortex of neo-colonial exploitation and global consumerism with the result that Africa has been subjugated into an web of almost permanent underdevelopment".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been subjugated" when describing a past state of being under the control or domination of another entity, particularly in historical or political contexts. Ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what was subjugated and by whom or what.

Common error

Avoid using "had been subjugated" without clearly indicating the agent of subjugation. For example, instead of saying "The region had been subjugated", specify "The region had been subjugated by the empire" to provide complete context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been subjugated" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating a completed action of subjugation in the past, before another point in time. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been subjugated" is a grammatically correct passive perfect construction used to describe a past state of control or domination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias and Wiki. Its neutral register makes it suitable for objective discussions of historical events. When writing with this phrase, ensure that the agent of subjugation is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been subjugated and oppressed

Combines the concepts of domination and hardship for emphasis.

had been conquered

Emphasizes military defeat and occupation.

had been oppressed

Highlights the experience of hardship and injustice suffered under power.

had been dominated

Focuses on the exercise of control or influence.

had been suppressed

Implies the forceful prevention of expression or action.

had been subjected

Suggests being made to undergo something, often unpleasant.

had been enslaved

Highlights the condition of being owned and forced into labor.

had been controlled

Focuses on the act of maintaining authority over someone or something.

had been vanquished

Emphasizes a complete defeat, often in battle.

had been exploited

Highlights the act of using someone unfairly for personal gain.

FAQs

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

Use "had been subjugated" to describe a past condition of being under control or domination. For example, "The indigenous population "had been subjugated" by the colonizers for centuries".

What are some alternatives to "had been subjugated"?

You can use alternatives such as "had been conquered", "had been oppressed", or "had been dominated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "were subjugated" instead of "had been subjugated"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they indicate different time frames. "Were subjugated" refers to a subjugation that occurred in the past, while ""had been subjugated"" refers to a state of subjugation that existed before a specific point in the past.

What is the difference between "subjugated" and "oppressed"?

"Subjugated" implies being brought under control or domination, while "oppressed" suggests being subjected to harsh or unfair treatment. While there is overlap, "subjugated" focuses on control, and "oppressed" focuses on suffering.