has been directed at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been directed at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the target or focus of an action or communication, often in contexts involving criticism, attention, or efforts aimed at a specific subject. Example: "The recent policy changes have been directed at improving employee satisfaction and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His toughest talking has been directed at other enemies altogether.

The Economist

"All my life has been directed at that".

The Guardian

Every step they have taken since then has been directed at this moment.

The New York Times

Not all the sexist sniping has been directed at female athletes.

The New York Times

Most of the stepped-up opposition, however, has been directed at blocking specific expansion plans.

The New York Times

has been directed at the function of money in the body politic.

The New Yorker

Much of the criticism, understandably enough, has been directed at his personality.

The Economist

Nearly all academic research on the subject has been directed at America's experience.

The Economist

That has been directed at Peter Moores, the coach, and Paul Downton, the cricket director.

The Guardian - Sport

Thus far, most of the ideological fire has been directed at the Kerry-Edwards ticket.

The New York Times

They received nothing like the vitriol and disgust that has been directed at Goody.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been directed at" to clearly indicate the recipient or target of an action, effort, or communication. It is especially useful when specifying where attention, resources, or criticism are aimed.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "has been directed at" to the point where the actor performing the action becomes unclear. Ensure the context provides sufficient clarity about who or what is doing the directing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been directed at" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating where an action, effort, or focus is targeted. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent and correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been directed at" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that serves to pinpoint the target of an action or effort. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and appears across a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal writing. The phrase is most effective when used to clarify the recipient of an action, focus, or criticism. Remember to use it with consideration to who is performing the action to prevent the sentence from sounding unclear. By understanding its function and purpose, you can use "has been directed at" effectively to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been aimed at

Focuses on the intention or goal behind the action, similar to "directed at" but with a slightly stronger emphasis on intention.

has been targeted at

Emphasizes a specific target or recipient, often implying a more deliberate or strategic focus.

has been focused on

Highlights the concentration of attention or resources on a particular area or subject.

has been geared towards

Suggests that something is designed or adapted to a specific purpose or audience.

has been channeled into

Implies the redirection of resources or efforts into a particular area.

has been allocated to

Focuses on the distribution of resources to a specific purpose or recipient.

has been assigned to

Highlights the act of designating something for a particular purpose or person.

has been devoted to

Emphasizes the dedication of time, effort, or resources to a specific cause or activity.

has been intended for

Highlights the original purpose or design for which something was created.

has been concentrated on

Indicates a high degree of focus and effort applied to a specific area.

FAQs

How can I use "has been directed at" in a sentence?

Use "has been directed at" to show where focus, efforts, or actions are targeted. For example, "The criticism has been directed at the company's leadership".

What are some alternatives to "has been directed at"?

You can use alternatives like "has been aimed at", "has been focused on", or "has been targeted at" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "directed at"?

While "has been directed at" is in passive voice, it's often useful when the recipient of the action is more important than the actor. However, using the active voice can sometimes make the sentence more direct and clear. For example, instead of "Criticism has been directed at the CEO", you could say "Critics directed their criticism at the CEO".

What's the difference between "has been directed at" and "has been intended for"?

"Has been directed at" implies an action or effort that is currently aimed at something. "Has been intended for" implies that something was designed or meant for a specific purpose or recipient. For example, "The marketing campaign has been directed at young adults" versus "The product has been intended for experienced users".