is attacked by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is attacked by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is the target of an attack, whether physical, verbal, or metaphorical. Example: "The city is attacked by a severe storm, causing widespread damage and power outages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

First, she is attacked by egg-headed goblins.

The Economist

Even if the army is attacked by rebels, no retaliation".

The New York Times

In one scene the woman is attacked by police dogs, then clubbed.

The New York Times - Arts

Don't be surprised if Mr. Ryan is attacked by some Democrats as a deficit dove.

The New York Times

"Janet is attacked by a mugger only 10 feet from her house.

The New Yorker

(61) — A man wins Pepsi MAX for life, is attacked by Regis Philbin.

The New Yorker

Mr Chen says that Taiwan will declare independence only if it is attacked by China.

The Economist

Fourth, the theory is attacked by the experts as being incompatible with the existing model.

The Economist

The Irishman turns the tables, but is attacked by the family.

Independent

Then she is attacked by a trio of cyborg bounty-hunters.

The Economist

One night Berel is attacked by four men wearing children's Queen Esther masks.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is attacked by", ensure the subject performing the action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether it's a person, group, or abstract concept initiating the attack.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "is attacked by" if it obscures the actor. Active voice often provides a more direct and impactful statement. Instead of "The city is attacked by terrorists", consider "Terrorists attacked the city."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is attacked by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject receives the action of being attacked. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

38%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is attacked by" is a grammatically sound passive construction frequently used to describe a subject undergoing an offensive action. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread applicability across diverse contexts such as news, science, and general knowledge. While its register remains mostly neutral, it's essential to consider the impact of passive voice and ensure clarity in conveying the actor performing the attack. Alternatives like "is assaulted by" or "is targeted by" can provide nuanced meanings depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is assaulted by

Emphasizes a violent physical or verbal assault. Slightly stronger connotation.

is confronted by

Highlights a direct encounter with an opposing force or problem.

is targeted by

Focuses on the deliberate selection of a target, whether for attack or other negative actions.

falls victim to

Indicates succumbing to a negative event or influence.

is besieged by

Suggests being surrounded and under persistent attack, often over a period of time.

is overwhelmed by

Highlights the intensity or magnitude of something negative.

is bombarded with

Implies being overwhelmed with a large quantity of something, such as criticism or information.

is subjected to

A broader term indicating exposure to something unpleasant or harmful.

is affected by

Indicates influence or impact, which may be negative but isn't necessarily an attack.

is afflicted by

Suggests suffering from a disease or ailment, physical or metaphorical.

FAQs

How can I use "is attacked by" in a sentence?

Use "is attacked by" to describe when someone or something becomes the target of an aggressive action. For instance, "The fortress is attacked by enemy forces" or "The politician is attacked by the media".

What are some alternatives to "is attacked by"?

You can use alternatives like "is assaulted by", "is targeted by", or "is confronted by depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "is attacked by"?

While "is attacked by" is in the passive voice and grammatically correct, consider using the active voice for a more direct statement. For example, instead of "The system is attacked by hackers", use "Hackers attacked the system".

What's the difference between "is attacked by" and "is affected by"?

"Is attacked by" implies a direct and aggressive action, while "is affected by" suggests a broader influence or impact, which may not necessarily be negative or intentional.