had been targeted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been targeted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was the focus of an attack or criticism in the past. Example: "The organization had been targeted by hackers multiple times over the last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had been targeted and nailed.

The Guardian - Sport

It was the second time Kiani had been targeted.

The Guardian

There were other reports that students had been targeted.

Independent

Flashback was not the first time Macs had been targeted.

The New York Times

The court heard that since the brothers' convictions their families had been targeted by local people.

The Guardian

On Tuesday police played down suggestions that she had been targeted by a stalker.

The Guardian

I felt powerless and scared that my children had been targeted".

The Guardian

Police said Tyshawn had been targeted on 2 November because of his father's gang connections.

The Guardian

She said opposition candidates had been targeted in stone-throwing incidents and other acts of intimidation.

The Guardian

"If you already had been targeted for death, would you go again?" Ms. Fredman asked.

The New York Times

The reason, Jackson said, was that Webb had been targeted by the Aryan Brotherhood.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been targeted", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was doing the targeting. Providing this information enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "had been targeted" is grammatically correct, consider rephrasing to an active voice construction (e.g., "hackers targeted the organization") to make your writing more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been targeted" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being targeted. It's frequently used to highlight that someone or something was the recipient of a specific action, often an attack or negative attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been targeted" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that someone or something was the recipient of a targeting action, frequently in a negative context. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is generally correct and well-established. The phrase is most often found in news and media sources, highlighting events such as cyberattacks, political targeting, and other forms of intentional harm or focus. While the phrase is acceptable, being mindful of using it in a context where the passive voice does not obscure critical information is essential. Consider using alternative phrasing to better emphasize the actor in a scenario and not just the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became the victim of

Highlights the negative consequences of being targeted, emphasizing the victim status.

was singled out

Focuses on the selection of a specific individual or group for attention, often negative.

was marked for

Suggests a pre-determined plan or decision to target someone or something.

came under attack

Highlights the aggressive nature of the targeting, focusing on the act of being attacked.

was aimed at

Emphasizes directionality and intentionality, suggesting a clear purpose or goal behind the targeting.

was subjected to

Indicates that someone or something was forced to endure a negative experience or action.

was focused on

Implies that attention or resources were concentrated on a particular person or thing.

was in the crosshairs

Idiomatic expression indicating a position of vulnerability and imminent danger.

faced scrutiny

Implies close and critical examination, often with the potential for negative consequences.

was exposed to

Highlights the act of being subjected to something, usually negative, but could also be neutral.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "The company had been targeted by hackers"?

You could use an active voice construction like "Hackers targeted the company" or a more descriptive phrase such as "The company "came under attack" by hackers".

What does it mean when something "had been targeted"?

It means that something or someone was the focus of an intentional action, often negative, like an attack or criticism. The phrase implies a deliberate selection for a specific purpose.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "had been targeted"?

The phrase is suitable when discussing past events where someone or something was intentionally selected as the object of an action, especially when that action is negative or harmful. Examples include cyberattacks, political campaigns, or acts of discrimination.

Is there a difference between "had been targeted" and "was aimed at"?

While similar, "had been targeted" implies a more direct and specific focus, often with negative intent. "Was aimed at" can be broader, suggesting a direction or goal without necessarily implying harm.