have been subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been affected by a particular condition or has undergone a certain process over a period of time. Example: "The regulations have been subject to frequent changes over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The two first phases have been subject to extensive research.

Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy

Previous polls have been subject to systematic violence and rigging.

The Guardian

Our foreign policy might have been subject to blackmail.

The New York Times

Since then the Mormons have been subject to some harassment.

The New York Times

They would therefore have been subject to fierce wrangling.

The Economist

All the laws have been subject to amendment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That is really what I have been subject to here".

The Guardian

Catholics have been subject to criticism for decades.

The New York Times

"I should not have been subject to a media trial.

The Guardian

Both teams would have been subject to sanctions.

The New York Times - Sports

Might we have been subject to the same biases that led to these tragedies?

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been subject", ensure that the subject is clearly defined and that the context makes it clear what they have been subject to. For example, "The new regulations have been subject to numerous revisions".

Common error

Avoid using "have been subject" without clearly specifying what the subject is or what it has been subject to. For example, instead of saying "Problems have been subject", specify "The project's problems have been subject to delays".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been subject" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has experienced or undergone a specific action, process, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been subject" is a versatile passive construction used to indicate that a subject has experienced or undergone a particular action, process, or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While "have been subject to" and ""have been subjected to"" are both valid, the latter implies a more forceful action. When using "have been subject", ensure the subject and context are clear. Related phrases include "have undergone" and "have experienced". Be mindful of potential ambiguity and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been subjected to

Synonymous, but can sometimes imply a more forceful or unwanted imposition.

have been affected by

Focuses on the impact or influence that something has had.

have undergone

Focuses on the process of experiencing something, similar to being subject to it.

have experienced

Highlights the act of going through a particular situation or event.

have been exposed to

Emphasizes the idea of being open to or encountering something.

have faced

Highlights the act of confronting or dealing with something challenging.

have encountered

Focuses on coming across or meeting something, often unexpectedly.

have come up against

Indicates facing opposition or difficulties.

have been a victim of

Suggests that someone or something has suffered harm or negative consequences.

have fallen prey to

Emphasizes vulnerability and being negatively affected by something.

FAQs

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

Use "have been subject" to indicate that something or someone has experienced or undergone a particular action, process, or condition. For example, "The experiment's results "have been subjected to" intense scrutiny".

What are some alternatives to "have been subject"?

You can use alternatives like "have undergone", "have experienced", or "have been exposed to" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "have been subject to" or "have been subjected to"?

Both "have been subject to" and ""have been subjected to"" are grammatically correct. "Have been subjected to" implies a more forceful or deliberate action, while "have been subject to" is generally more neutral. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

What does it mean when something "has been subject" to something else?

It means that the first thing has experienced the effects, influence, or action of the second thing. For instance, "The company's profits "have been affected by" the economic downturn" indicates that the downturn has had a negative impact on the profits.