was discriminated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was discriminated" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would typically be "was discriminated against." Example: "He felt that he was discriminated against because of his race."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I understand the issues of discrimination, because I myself was discriminated against".

The New York Times

Young, old and OA equine cartilage was discriminated based on their peptide signature using discriminant analysis.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Statistics can show a pattern of discrimination, but they are not enough to prove that any particular woman was discriminated against.

The New York Times

You can't imagine how often I was discriminated against.

The Guardian

I was the guy who was discriminated against.

The New York Times

Mercer's contention is that she was discriminated against solely because she is female, a federal violation.

The New York Times - Sports

Eweida also says she was discriminated against compared to other faiths.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was discriminated against and they always kept me out of the loop.

Independent

The question there was whether Ms Troupe was discriminated against or terminated for cause.

The Economist

However, the court erred by ruling that Lee was discriminated against because of his sexual orientation and political opinions.

The Guardian - Opinion

His parents are seeking a judicial review, saying he was discriminated against because of his Muslim background.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing discriminatory experiences, be specific about the grounds for discrimination (e.g., race, gender, religion) to provide context and legal relevance.

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition "against" after "discriminated." Saying someone "was discriminated" is grammatically incorrect and can confuse readers. The correct usage is "was discriminated against."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was discriminated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone received discriminatory treatment. However, it is grammatically incomplete without the preposition 'against'. Ludwig confirms the common usage of "was discriminated against" for grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "was discriminated" appears frequently, it is grammatically incomplete and considered incorrect. The correct form is "was discriminated against". This phrase is used to express that someone experienced unfair treatment. As Ludwig AI confirms, always include the preposition "against" to ensure grammatical accuracy. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media and science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was discriminated against

This is the grammatically correct version of the original phrase.

faced discrimination

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, focusing on the action of facing discrimination.

experienced discrimination

Similar to "faced discrimination", it uses 'experienced' to describe the act of undergoing discrimination.

was subjected to discrimination

Emphasizes that the person was made to endure discrimination.

suffered discrimination

Highlights the negative impact and harm caused by the discrimination.

was treated unfairly

A broader term that encompasses discrimination and other forms of unjust treatment.

was the victim of discrimination

Clearly identifies the person as someone harmed by discrimination.

endured discriminatory practices

Focuses on the systemic nature of the discrimination experienced.

was prejudiced against

Highlights the bias and prejudice that led to the discriminatory treatment.

met with prejudice

Directly addresses prejudice as the reason for unfair treatment.

FAQs

Why is it important to say "discriminated against" instead of just "discriminated"?

The preposition "against" is necessary to complete the meaning of the verb "discriminate" when indicating that someone was treated unfairly. Omitting it makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean when someone says they "faced discrimination"?

It means they experienced unfair or prejudicial treatment based on certain characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or other personal attributes.

How can I use the phrase "was discriminated against" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure that the sentence clearly identifies who was discriminated against and, if possible, the basis for the discrimination. For example: "She was discriminated against because of her age."

What's the difference between "was discriminated against" and "was treated unfairly"?

"was discriminated against" specifically refers to unfair treatment based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or religion. "was treated unfairly" is a broader term that encompasses any kind of unjust treatment, not necessarily tied to those characteristics.