has been slapped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been slapped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that has occurred in the past and has relevance to the present, often in a figurative or literal sense. Example: "The child has been slapped for misbehaving in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The restaurant's name has been slapped over the original sign.

The New York Times - Food

And the haste with which this laborious costume drama has been slapped together is strongly apparent.

The New York Times

The second half of the interview has been slapped all over the papers.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sheik has been slapped on the wrist for breaking an I.O.C. ethics rule against public support of candidates.

The New York Times - Sports

But does the label Twitter Revolution, which has been slapped on the two most recent events, oversell the technology?

The New York Times

"Official use only" has been slapped wholesale on documents, even though there's no common standard for what that means.

The New York Times

Mr Tekce has been slapped with at least 20 cases since being elected in 2004 on the ticket of Turkey's largest pro-Kurdish party, the DTP.

The Economist

If anything, the novel has been slapped awake, reanimated as something lighter and stronger, in terms of sheer entertainment, forfeiting not one drop of originality and ambition.

The New York Times - Books

The latest fatwa has been slapped on singer and television presenter Jamelia, guilty of deviating from the politically correct view that fat is fabulous.

Independent

All told, Google has been censured three times since 2014, when Vestager became commissioner, and has been slapped with more than nine billion dollars in fines.

The New Yorker

Throughout, Oliver maintains the stunned expression of someone who has been slapped in the face with a fish, and rarely smiles.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been slapped" to convey a sense of immediate, often negative, consequence or impact. It's suitable when describing penalties, criticisms, or unexpected setbacks.

Common error

Avoid using "has been slapped" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral or precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been slapped" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has received a forceful or negative action. Ludwig provides examples of this phrase being used to describe penalties, criticisms, and setbacks, confirming its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been slapped" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to denote that someone or something has experienced a negative consequence or impact. According to Ludwig, the phrase is commonly found in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of immediate and forceful action. While appropriate for neutral registers, it should be used cautiously in more formal writing to maintain a professional tone. Alternatives like "has been penalized" or "has been criticized" may be more suitable in such instances. Given the wide usage, Ludwig confirms that this phrase is well-established in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been penalized

Implies a formal punishment or consequence, differing from the more direct and potentially physical connotation of "slapped".

has been sanctioned

Indicates an official or legal restriction, diverging from the informal sense of "slapped".

has been reprimanded

Suggests a formal rebuke or scolding, differing from the more abrupt action implied by "slapped".

has been fined

Refers specifically to a monetary penalty, a more specific consequence than the general term "slapped".

has been criticized

Implies a verbal disapproval, a less forceful action compared to "slapped".

has been defeated

Suggests being overcome or vanquished, shifting from a direct action to an outcome.

has been rejected

Indicates a denial or refusal, differing from the more forceful implication of "slapped".

has been dismissed

Implies being disregarded or terminated, moving away from a direct action to a state of being.

has been rebuffed

Signifies a rejection or repulse, a more formal term than "slapped".

has been overturned

Indicates a reversal of a decision or situation, a less personal action compared to "slapped".

FAQs

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

Use "has been slapped" to indicate that someone or something has received a punishment, criticism, or setback. For example, "The company "has been slapped" with a hefty fine for environmental violations."

What are some alternatives to "has been slapped"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "has been penalized", "has been criticized", or "has been fined".

Is it appropriate to use "has been slapped" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "has been slapped" might be too informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

What does "has been slapped with" mean?

The phrase "has been slapped with" means that someone or something has been given or subjected to something negative, such as a fine, charge, or lawsuit. It implies a forceful or impactful action.