targeting me

USAGE SUMMARY

"targeting me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is specifically directed towards you. For example, "I felt like I was being singled out when all of the negative comments were targeting me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I don't want to feel like e-readers are targeting me.

Huffington Post

They're targeting me because I'm chair of our mobility committee".

The Guardian - Tech

"I'm sure that some people do scam the system, but why were they targeting me?

The Guardian

That means targeting me for the purpose of ferreting out sources was unlikely.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm grateful that this person is now targeting me instead of little girls," Mr. Liu said.

The New York Times

"It feels like they are targeting me and my family," said Andrea.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Several scaffolds have been identified as promising motifs to target ME's NADP binding site.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Why did he target me?

The Washington Post

Bullies targeted me because I was different.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"For a long time they didn't target ECRF, they just targeted me," said Abdullah.

The Guardian

They targeted me at a time when things were going badly for me.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "targeting me" when you want to express that you are specifically being focused on, often with negative implications, by a person or group. Ensure the context supports the idea of directed attention.

Common error

Avoid using "targeting me" when the attention is not directed or focused. For instance, if you're simply receiving general criticism, phrases like "people are criticizing me" might be more appropriate than implying a specific targeting effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "targeting me" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly signifies that someone is intentionally focusing on the speaker. Examples show it in scenarios of harassment, discrimination, and unwanted attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "targeting me" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to convey the feeling of being deliberately singled out, often with negative intent. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is straightforward and appropriate in a variety of contexts, particularly within news and media. While alternatives like "singling me out" or "focusing on me" exist, "targeting me" specifically implies a directed and potentially harmful focus. When using this phrase, ensure that the context supports the idea of intentional focus and avoid using it in situations where the attention is merely general or undirected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making me a target

Emphasizes the act of someone or something causing one to be a target.

aiming at me

Suggests an intention to harm or criticize, similar to "targeting", but can also be metaphorical.

singling me out

Focuses on the act of being picked out from a group, often without negative connotations.

focusing on me

Highlights attention being directed towards oneself, not necessarily negative.

zeroing in on me

Implies a precise and focused attention, potentially for investigation or scrutiny.

coming after me

Indicates active pursuit or aggression, implying a threat or conflict.

picking on me

Suggests persistent teasing or bullying, often in a less formal or serious context.

harassing me

Involves repeated and unwanted actions that cause distress or alarm.

persecuting me

Suggests systematic oppression or mistreatment, often due to beliefs or identity.

subjecting me to

Implies being made to experience something, usually negative or unwanted.

FAQs

What does "targeting me" mean?

The phrase "targeting me" implies that someone or something is specifically focusing on you, often with negative intent or consequences. It suggests a deliberate and directed action towards you.

How can I use "targeting me" in a sentence?

You can use "targeting me" to describe situations where you feel like you're being singled out. For example, "I felt like the company was "targeting me" after I filed the complaint."

What are some alternatives to "targeting me"?

You can use alternatives like "singling me out", "focusing on me", or "making me a target" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "targeting me" and "criticizing me"?

"Targeting me" suggests a focused and potentially malicious intent, while "criticizing me" simply means someone is expressing disapproval or finding fault with something you've done or said. "Targeting" implies a more deliberate and potentially harmful action.