has been dogged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been dogged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or person that has been persistently pursued or troubled by something, often in a negative context. Example: "His career has been dogged by controversy since the beginning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Dabhol has been dogged by controversy.

The Economist

(Sanders has been dogged by #BlackLivesMatter protesters).

The New Yorker

However, it has been dogged by problems.

The Guardian - Business

Resistance has been dogged, even fanatical.

The New York Times

Mr. Chun has been dogged by prosecutors for years.

The New York Times

Football has been dogged by scandals in this area.

The Economist

The trial has been dogged with allegations of fabricated evidence.

The Economist

But it has been dogged by doubts and opposition.

The Guardian

Recently, however, it has been dogged by bad press.

The Guardian

But it has been dogged by schedule changes.

The New York Times

The Botswana Democratic Party has been dogged by internal squabbles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been dogged" to describe situations or entities persistently troubled by negative factors like scandals, controversies, or problems. For a more emphatic tone, consider using synonyms like "plagued" or "haunted".

Common error

Avoid using "has been dogged" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of saying "the project has been dogged by delays", consider "delays have dogged the project" if the delays are the active subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been dogged" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes a subject that has been persistently pursued or troubled by something, often negative. As noted by Ludwig, this construction is both correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been dogged" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that conveys persistent trouble or pursuit, predominantly in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers synonyms like "plagued" or "beset" for nuanced expression. When writing, ensure its passive voice aligns with the intended emphasis, and consider the alternatives to avoid repetitive phrasing. This phrase is versatile for neutral and professional contexts, as evident in the diverse examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been plagued

Focuses on a continuous infliction of trouble or distress.

has been beset

Highlights being constantly attacked or troubled.

has been hounded

Emphasizes relentless pursuit or harassment.

has been haunted

Implies a lingering presence of negative issues.

has been afflicted

Suggests suffering from a condition or problem.

has been shadowed

Indicates being followed closely, often with negative intent.

has been cursed

Implies a supernatural or inevitable negative fate.

has been bedeviled

Suggests being tormented or vexed by something.

has been beleaguered

Focuses on being under siege or constant pressure.

has been ridden

This variation subtly shifts the meaning towards being dominated or controlled by a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "has been dogged" in a sentence?

Use "has been dogged" to describe something that has been persistently troubled by problems or negative events. For example, "The project "has been dogged" by delays."

What are some alternatives to "has been dogged"?

Alternatives include "has been plagued", "has been beset", or "has been haunted". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "has been dogged by" or "dogged by"?

"Has been dogged by" is a complete verb phrase in the passive voice, whereas "dogged by" is a participial phrase that needs a helping verb to function as a complete sentence. The former is generally more formal and complete.

What's the difference between "has been dogged" and "has been followed"?

"Has been dogged" implies persistent trouble or negative issues, while "has been followed" simply indicates being pursued, which may or may not be negative. The distinction lies in the nature of what's doing the pursuing.