was subjected to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was subjected to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that somebody experienced something unpleasant, usually due to an action taken by somebody else. For example, "The employee was subjected to verbal abuse by his supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nashiri was subjected to similar measures.

The New Yorker

It was subjected to it.

The Guardian

She was subjected to decades of vilification.

The Guardian - Music

He was subjected to severe torture".

The New Yorker

She was subjected to a travel ban.

The Guardian

A protest march was subjected to violence.

The Guardian - Business

Furthermore, neither was subjected to much coaching.

The New Yorker

He was subjected to persistent, lengthy, and repeated cross-examination.

Cornell University

Harvested biomass was subjected to anaerobic digestion.

International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation

I was subjected to threats," Mr Sarwar told the newspaper.

The Guardian

Eluted protein was subjected to western blot analysis.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was subjected to" when you want to emphasize that someone or something underwent an action, often negative or forceful, imposed by an external agent or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "was subjected to" when an active voice construction is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The experiment was subjected to analysis", consider "The scientists analyzed the experiment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was subjected to" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received or experienced a specific action or treatment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing examples where entities experience different treatments or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was subjected to" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations where someone or something undergoes a specific action or treatment, often negative or involuntary. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across a broad spectrum of sources. Its prevalence in news, science, and academic writing suggests a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "underwent" and "was exposed to", offering alternative ways to express similar meanings. When writing, remember to use "was subjected to" when you want to emphasize the imposition of an action and consider active voice for more direct constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underwent

This alternative is a single word expressing a similar action of experiencing something, typically a process or treatment. It is more concise.

experienced

This alternative focuses on the act of having gone through something, often highlighting the impact or effect of the experience.

was exposed to

This alternative emphasizes the state of being presented with or encountering something, often involuntarily or unintentionally.

faced

This alternative highlights confrontation with a challenge or difficulty. It implies a more active role in dealing with the situation.

endured

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of persevering through something difficult or painful, highlighting resilience.

was made to undergo

This alternative highlights the element of compulsion or force, emphasizing that the experience was not voluntary.

went through

This alternative is a more informal way of saying "underwent" or "experienced", suitable for less formal contexts.

was a victim of

This alternative underscores the negative impact of the experience, portraying the subject as someone who suffered harm or loss.

was affected by

This alternative focuses on the influence or consequence of something on the subject, often used when describing impacts.

was subjected

This alternative is a less common shorter version of the requested one.

FAQs

How do I use "was subjected to" in a sentence?

Use "was subjected to" to indicate that someone or something experienced something, usually negative, due to an external force. For instance, "The prisoner "was subjected to torture"".

What are some alternatives to "was subjected to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "underwent", "experienced", or "was exposed to". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the experience.

Is it always appropriate to use "was subjected to"?

While grammatically correct, "was subjected to" can sometimes sound passive or formal. In some cases, active voice constructions may be clearer and more direct. Consider your audience and the desired tone.

What's the difference between "was subjected to" and "was exposed to"?

"Was subjected to" often implies a more forceful or negative action, whereas "was exposed to" suggests a more passive or incidental encounter. For example, you might say someone "was subjected to interrogation" but "was exposed to the elements".