have been targeted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been targeted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has been chosen as a focus for an action, often negative, such as criticism or attack. Example: "In recent months, several activists have been targeted by online harassment campaigns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Foreign reporters have been targeted, too.

The Economist

Shiites and Alawites have been targeted, too.

The New Yorker

Dozens have been targeted since then.

The Economist

Physicians have been targeted with similar ads.

The New Yorker

But large companies have been targeted too.

Independent

United Nations observers have been targeted before.

The New York Times

Iranian diplomats have been targeted in Yemen before.

The Guardian

"You may have been targeted by Russian ads on Facebook".

The New Yorker

Some officers have been targeted online by protesters, Kirchmeier included.

The Guardian

Presidents of all political positions have been targeted.

The New Yorker

"Only innocent civilians, including women and children, have been targeted".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been targeted" to clearly communicate that a subject has been specifically chosen as the focus of an action, especially when conveying a sense of deliberate selection or vulnerability.

Common error

Avoid using "have been targeted" when the active voice would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The company has been targeted by hackers", consider "Hackers targeted the company" when you want to emphasize the hackers' actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been targeted" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence has received a specific action directed towards them. Ludwig confirms that the usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been targeted" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject has been specifically chosen to receive an action. It is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. As verified by Ludwig, while the phrase often implies a negative connotation, it simply denotes that a subject has been singled out. Alternative phrases include "have been singled out", "have come under fire", and "have been subjected to", each offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been victimized

This alternative places emphasis on the harm or suffering endured by the subject.

have been singled out

This phrase emphasizes being chosen specifically from a group, which may or may not imply a negative action.

have come under fire

This alternative suggests criticism or attack, emphasizing a verbal or metaphorical assault rather than a physical one.

have been exploited

This emphasizes the unfair use of someone or something for personal gain.

have been subjected to

This phrase broadens the type of action, indicating that the subject has experienced something, potentially unpleasant.

have been preyed upon

This suggests a predatory dynamic, where the subject is vulnerable and exploited.

have been discriminated against

This phrase specifies that the targeting is based on prejudice or bias.

have been hit hard

This phrase emphasizes the intensity or severity of the impact on the subject.

have been focused on

This alternative shifts the focus to the act of focusing, rather than any implied negative action.

have been made a scapegoat

This alternative suggests that the subject is being blamed unfairly for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been targeted" to indicate that someone or something has been specifically chosen as the focus of an action. For example, "Minorities "have been targeted" by discriminatory policies".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "have been targeted"?

Similar phrases include "have been singled out", "have come under fire", or "have been subjected to", each carrying slightly different nuances of meaning.

What is the difference between "have been targeted" and "have been affected"?

"Have been targeted" implies a deliberate and focused action, while "have been affected" suggests a broader and potentially unintentional impact. Being "targeted" suggests intent, while being "affected" simply means experiencing a consequence.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with the phrase "have been targeted"?

The choice depends on the desired emphasis. Use the active voice (e.g., "Hackers targeted the company") when you want to focus on the actor. Use the passive voice ("The company "have been targeted" by hackers") when you want to emphasize the recipient of the action or when the actor is unknown or less important.