was preyed upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was preyed upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is exploited or victimized by another party, often in a predatory manner. Example: "The vulnerable individuals in the community were preyed upon by scammers who took advantage of their trust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He was preyed upon and groomed – just like paedophiles prey upon vulnerable teenagers.

The Guardian - Opinion

We believe, despite his weak and vulnerable state, he was preyed upon, radicalised and taken advantage of".

The Guardian

"He was preyed upon by four young men who decided to rob him," Assistant District Attorney Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi said in her opening statement.

The New York Times

'It was one of those environments where anyone who showed any kind of weakness was preyed upon, and that's pretty much what happened to him.

The Guardian - Film

TO some, she is a frail, tormented young woman who was preyed upon by an influential politician and well-known womanizer.

The New York Times

Just before midnight Thursday, the police said, Maurice Parks, 39, a subway motorman who had just ended his shift, was preyed upon by a group of muggers armed with at least one knife.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

They are preyed upon by fish, crabs, and several other predators.

Wikipedia

Yet sadly, as all too many headlines bear, those same vulnerable children are preyed upon--and not believed.

Huffington Post

One chapter tells of a ferocious wolf that was preying upon the citizens of Gubbio.

The New Yorker

Another sex game of sport for the guys of the park was preying upon guests.

Vice

Chiru are preyed upon by wolves, snow leopards, and lynxes.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was preyed upon", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the preying and the nature of the exploitation or victimization. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was preyed upon" excessively in passive constructions, as this can obscure the agent responsible for the action. Where appropriate, rephrase the sentence to use active voice for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was preyed upon" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being exploited or victimized. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a valid grammatical construct widely used to depict situations where someone is targeted and taken advantage of, similar to the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was preyed upon" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that indicates exploitation or victimization. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While it's generally appropriate, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying both the subject and the agent involved and to avoid overuse in passive constructions. When a more formal tone is needed, alternatives like "was exploited" or "was taken advantage of" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was taken advantage of

Focuses on the exploitation of someone's vulnerability for personal gain.

was exploited

Highlights the unfair use of someone or something for profit or advantage.

was victimized

Emphasizes the act of being harmed or wronged by someone.

was targeted

Indicates a deliberate selection as the object of attack or negative action.

was manipulated

Suggests being controlled or influenced cleverly or unscrupulously.

was abused

Implies physical or emotional mistreatment.

fell victim to

Expresses the experience of suffering harm or loss as a result of someone's actions.

was made a target of

Highlights the action of being selected for negative attention or harm.

was a casualty of

Suggests being harmed or lost as an indirect consequence of an event or action.

was subjected to

Indicates being forced to endure something unpleasant or harmful.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was preyed upon" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "was exploited", "was taken advantage of", or "was victimized" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "was preyed upon" and "was targeted"?

"Was preyed upon" suggests a predatory relationship where someone is exploited due to vulnerability, while "was targeted" implies a deliberate selection for a specific action, which may not necessarily involve exploitation.

Is it always appropriate to use "was preyed upon"?

While generally acceptable, "was preyed upon" might be too strong in contexts where the harm is minor or unintentional. Consider alternatives like "was affected by" or "was impacted by" in such cases.

How to avoid ambiguity when using "was preyed upon"?

To avoid ambiguity, ensure that your sentence clearly identifies both the subject who "was preyed upon" and the agent who did the preying. For example: "The vulnerable individuals were preyed upon by scammers" provides clarity.