to be criticized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be criticized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for someone or something to receive negative feedback or judgment. Example: "The proposal is likely to be criticized for its lack of detail and clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

While no one likes to be criticized, like defeats and mistakes, learn from criticism, and if warranted learn from it.

WikiHow

No one likes to be criticized.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Nobody likes to be criticized," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

And Israel deserves to be criticized for the flotilla disaster.

The New York Times

"I don't want to be criticized for looking piggy, too".

The New York Times

Is Goldwasser prepared to be criticized and mocked by rivals?

The New York Times

"I was telling them we're going to be criticized for not picking a number, we're going to be criticized for not being able to make up our minds.

The New York Times

LONDON — "We live in a world where we have to be criticized.

The New York Times - Sports

It might hurt game officials to be criticized by former players.

The New York Times - Sports

The international aid agencies tend to be criticized whatever they do.

The New Yorker

"To be criticized for that is kind of a dirty dig".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be criticized" to maintain objectivity, especially when discussing potential or anticipated negative evaluations. For example, "The policy is expected to be criticized by environmental groups" provides a neutral tone.

Common error

While "to be criticized" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make writing seem weak. Strengthen your sentences by rephrasing to use active voice where appropriate; instead of "The report is to be criticized", consider "Critics will likely criticize the report".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to be criticized" is to form a passive infinitive verb phrase. It indicates the potential for a subject to receive negative evaluation. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be criticized" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive infinitive verb phrase that serves to indicate the likelihood or anticipation of negative feedback. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and correct. It appears most commonly in News & Media sources, but also has usage across Wiki and Science. When writing, consider whether the passive voice is the most effective choice or if an active construction would strengthen your sentence. Remember to use "to be criticized" when you want to objectively convey the potential for negative evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to face criticism

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, emphasizing the act of facing criticism.

to receive criticism

Focuses on the reception of criticism rather than the state of being criticized.

to come under fire

Uses a metaphor to describe the intensity of the criticism received.

to be judged harshly

Emphasizes the severity of the judgment.

to draw flak

An informal expression suggesting the attraction of negative attention.

to be taken to task

Implies a formal reprimand or correction.

to incur disapproval

Highlights the negative reaction or disapproval resulting from an action.

to meet with disapproval

Similar to 'incur disapproval', but uses 'meet with' to soften the impact slightly.

to be censured

Suggests a formal and often public condemnation.

to be impugned

Implies that one's character or motives are being questioned.

FAQs

How can I use "to be criticized" in a sentence?

The phrase "to be criticized" is used to indicate that someone or something is likely to receive negative feedback. For example: "The project is expected "to be criticized" for its high costs".

What are some alternatives to "to be criticized"?

You can use alternatives such as "to face criticism", "to receive criticism", or "to come under fire" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it better to say "to be criticized" or "to face criticism"?

Both "to be criticized" and "to face criticism" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "To be criticized" emphasizes the state of receiving criticism, while "to face criticism" emphasizes the action of confronting it. Choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

What does it mean when something is "to be criticized"?

When something is ""to be criticized"", it means that it is likely or expected to receive negative feedback, disapproval, or fault-finding from others. It suggests a potential vulnerability to critique.