have been exploited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been exploited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals or resources have been taken advantage of over a period of time. Example: "Many workers in the industry have been exploited for their labor without fair compensation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have been exploited in education.

The New York Times

It was a chance that should have been exploited.

The Guardian - Sport

"Do I feel like I have been exploited?

Independent

Against a more talented team, those mistakes might have been exploited.

The New York Times - Sports

"Still, it's very difficult for the people who have been exploited," she said.

The New York Times

It is undeniable that his style and name have been exploited as logos.

The Guardian - Arts

This was hardly surprising, considering how tensions between the classes have been exploited mercilessly by politicians.

The Guardian

He has a deep, promotable hatred for De La Hoya that could have been exploited.

The New York Times - Sports

The magnetic properties of magnetite have been exploited in compasses since ancient times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"However, workers have been exploited and residents have been left with shoddy, dangerous homes".

The New York Times

Moreover, symmetries have been exploited.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been exploited", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is being exploited and by whom or what. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "have been exploited" if a more direct, active voice would be clearer and more impactful. For instance, instead of "Workers have been exploited", consider "Companies exploit workers" to highlight the responsible party.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been exploited" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has been subjected to unfair or unethical treatment. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase describes situations of unfair advantage, misuse, or manipulation. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written english.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been exploited" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to express that a subject has been unfairly used or taken advantage of. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While grammatically correct, it is advisable to ensure that the agent of exploitation is clearly identified for maximum impact. Consider alternatives like "have been taken advantage of" or "have been misused" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When writing, be aware of the potential for overuse and consider whether the active voice might be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been taken advantage of

Emphasizes the act of someone benefiting unfairly from another's vulnerability.

have been misused

Suggests an inappropriate or unintended use of something or someone.

have been manipulated

Highlights the element of control and influence in the exploitation.

have been victimized

Focuses on the harm and suffering caused by the exploitative actions.

have been unfairly treated

Broadly indicates injustice and inequity in the treatment received.

have been capitalised on

Implies that one or other has used someone or something to achieve a specific goal or advantage

have been abused

Emphasizes the severity and potentially harmful nature of the exploitation.

have been preyed upon

Suggests a predatory and opportunistic form of exploitation.

have been milked

Indicates the resource has been drained to its ultimate limit.

have been bled dry

Like milked, it indicates all value has been taken out of it, and potentially more than it could provide.

FAQs

How can I use "have been exploited" in a sentence?

You can use "have been exploited" to describe situations where someone or something has been unfairly used for another's advantage. For instance, "Natural resources "have been exploited" for economic gain, often at the expense of the environment."

What are some alternatives to "have been exploited"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "have been taken advantage of", "have been misused", or "have been manipulated".

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

While "have been exploited" (passive) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "they exploit") can often make your writing more direct and impactful, clearly identifying the actor performing the exploitation.

What's the difference between "have been exploited" and "have been used"?

"Have been exploited" implies an unfair or unethical use, often for personal gain, whereas "have been used" is a more neutral term simply indicating that something has been utilized. Exploitation suggests harm or injustice to the thing or person that "have been used".