have been subjected

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been subjected" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used in the present perfect tense to indicate that someone or something has experienced a particular action or experience. For example: "The employees have been subjected to rigorous training to improve their skills." This sentence means that in the past, the employees underwent rigorous training and continue to be affected by it in the present. Another example: "The town has been subjected to severe weather conditions in recent years." This sentence means that the town has experienced severe weather at some point in the past and is still affected by it in the present.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Chechen civilians have been subjected to crushing repression.

The New York Times

"I have been subjected to enough surgery in the media".

The Guardian

Our clients have been subjected to torture, abuse and humiliation".

The Guardian

"The Russians have been subjected to really severe terrorist attacks".

The Guardian

Some, he said, have been subjected to "egregious behavior".

The New York Times

Critical newspaper groups have been subjected to capricious tax fines.

The Economist

Mining companies in Indonesia have been subjected to tighter rules.

The Economist

Protesters began peacefully but have been subjected to unspeakable violence.

The New York Times

Since then, practitioners have been subjected to imprisonment and torture.

The New York Times

Sometimes this is a disbelief about what they have been subjected to.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have been subjected for the last few months in Europe to acts of war".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been subjected" when you want to emphasize that someone or something has passively undergone a specific experience or action, often one that is unpleasant or forceful. For instance, "The data "have been subjected" to rigorous analysis".

Common error

Avoid using "have been subjected" when an active voice construction is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The experiment "have been subjected" to several modifications by the scientists", a better choice is "The scientists subjected the experiment to several modifications".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been subjected" primarily functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence has undergone a particular action, often something unpleasant or forceful. Ludwig AI validates this common usage in its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been subjected" is a versatile passive construction that indicates an experience or action undergone by a subject, often carrying a negative connotation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains. It typically conveys the impact or consequences of the action, lending itself to contexts where emphasis is placed on the experience itself. Alternatives such as "have undergone" or "have experienced" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis. While generally neutral to formal, writers should remain mindful of active voice alternatives for directness and clarity. This guide provides valuable insights for precise and effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been exposed to

This alternative indicates contact or influence from an external factor.

have undergone

This alternative focuses on the process of experiencing something, emphasizing the action taken.

have been a target of

This alternative focuses on being specifically chosen for a particular action.

have experienced

This alternative highlights the personal encounter with a situation or event.

have been on the receiving end of

This alternative emphasizes the passive role of receiving something, often negative.

have faced

This alternative emphasizes confrontation with difficulties or challenges.

have sustained

This alternative underlines the concept of bearing or withstanding something, typically damage or loss.

have endured

This alternative stresses the ability to withstand hardship or suffering.

have been made to suffer

This alternative explicitly highlights the negative impact and suffering experienced.

have fallen victim to

This alternative emphasizes the role of being a victim of circumstances.

FAQs

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

Use "have been subjected" to indicate that someone or something has undergone a particular action or experience, especially something negative or forceful. For example, "The prisoners "have been subjected" to inhumane treatment".

What are some alternatives to "have been subjected"?

You can use alternatives such as "have undergone", "have experienced", or "have faced" depending on the context. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the experience.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been subjected"?

While "have been subjected" is in passive voice, consider whether an active voice construction might be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The documents "have been subjected" to review", you could say "The committee reviewed the documents".

What's the difference between "have been subjected to" and "were subjected to"?

"Have been subjected to" implies that the action or experience has occurred at some point in the past and may still be relevant or ongoing, while "were subjected to" indicates a completed action in the past. For instance, "They "have been subjected" to criticism" suggests ongoing criticism, whereas "They were subjected to criticism" implies it happened at a specific time in the past.