have been pressured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been pressured" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has been under pressure to do something or to make a decision. For example: "The company's employees have been pressured to take unpaid leave during the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Companies have been pressured to shift focus.

The Guardian

"Before, I probably would have been pressured to have more," she added.

The New York Times - Health

Food makers have been pressured by rising ingredient and fuel costs.

The New York Times

He warned that many people, like companies, have been pressured into living beyond their means.

The New York Times

"After military coups in Turkey," he said, "I have been pressured and I have been imprisoned.

The Guardian

The networks have been pressured by advertisers, who want to reach young consumers.

The New York Times

But prosecutors have contended that witnesses may have been pressured into changing their testimony.

The New York Times

Some women, like 30-year-old Lakshmi Rani from Bhiwani district in Uttar Pradesh, have been pressured into multiple abortions.

The New York Times

Consequently, physicians have been pressured to see more and more patients in the same amount of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Party leaders have been pressured by the chief executive, Gillian Taylor, to end the stalemate this month.

The Guardian

Cherington might have been pressured into including Valentine on his list of candidates, but during the process he was clearly impressed by Valentine.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been pressured", ensure the context clearly identifies who is applying the pressure and what the desired outcome is. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been pressured" without specifying the source of the pressure. Vague statements can weaken your argument and leave the reader wondering who or what is exerting the influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been pressured" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something has been subjected to external influence or coercion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been pressured" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate that someone has been subjected to external influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct. It is commonly found in news and media contexts, expressing the experience of being subjected to obligation or unwanted action. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly identify the source of the pressure to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "have been urged" or "have been influenced" offer varying degrees of intensity and connotation, allowing for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been coerced

Implies a stronger level of force or intimidation than "pressured".

have been compelled

Indicates a strong obligation or necessity, often from an external source, similar to pressure but more forceful.

have been pushed

Suggests a more active and forceful influence, often implying a struggle against resistance.

have been impelled

Similar to compelled, suggesting a strong inner or outer force driving action.

have been influenced

Suggests a more subtle form of persuasion, lacking the negative connotation of "pressured".

have been driven

Implies a strong motivation or force causing action, potentially lacking the direct external influence of "pressured".

have been induced

Suggests influencing someone, often to do something they wouldn't normally do, similar to pressure but with a focus on the outcome.

have been urged

Implies encouragement and advice, a milder form of influence than "pressured".

have been persuaded

Highlights convincing someone through reasoning, differing from the potentially unwanted nature of pressure.

have been obligated

Emphasizes a sense of duty or requirement, differing from the potentially unwanted feeling of pressure.

FAQs

How to use "have been pressured" in a sentence?

Use "have been pressured" to indicate that someone has experienced external influence to do something. For instance, "The company's employees "have been pressured" to take unpaid leave."

What can I say instead of "have been pressured"?

You can use alternatives like "have been urged", "have been influenced", or "have been coerced" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "have been pressured" and "have been influenced"?

"Have been pressured" suggests a more direct and potentially unwanted influence, whereas "have been influenced" can imply a more subtle or persuasive form of guidance.

Is it correct to say "was pressured" instead of "have been pressured"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Was pressured" refers to a specific instance in the past, while ""have been pressured"" suggests a continuing or repeated influence.