were subjected to

USAGE SUMMARY

"were subjected to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which somebody or something was exposed to, or had to endure, an unpleasant activity or situation. For example, "The prisoners were subjected to extreme living conditions".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Soon, we were subjected to another discombobulation.

The New Yorker

The patients were subjected to constant beating.

Independent

Those not executed were subjected to torture.

The Economist

Two patients were subjected to repeated assault.

The Guardian

Victims were subjected to significant social problems.

The Guardian

"Two-thirds were subjected to humiliating hazing.

The New York Times - Sports

These 345 accessions were subjected to WGRS.

Nature

The qualitative data were subjected to con- ventional content analysis.

Columbia University

Both countries were subjected to severe American sanctions.

The New York Times

Prisoners were subjected to "rectal feeding" without medical necessity.

The Guardian

Once arrested, they were subjected to insidious mental tortures.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were subjected to", consider including specific details about who or what was responsible for subjecting the individuals or objects in question, to maintain clarity and accountability in your writing.

Common error

While "were subjected to" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make writing seem weak or vague. Consider if active voice would be more impactful; for instance, instead of 'The data were subjected to analysis', write 'The researchers analyzed the data'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were subjected to" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received a specific action or treatment. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to describe experiences that are often unpleasant or involuntary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were subjected to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase in English that functions as a passive construction to indicate that someone or something experienced a specific action, often involuntarily or negatively. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts. It is most commonly found in news reports, scientific publications, and academic papers. When writing, it's important to consider whether the passive voice is the most effective choice or whether active voice would create a stronger impact. Ludwig's examples demonstrate that by choosing the right phrasing can enhance clarity and ensure precision. Also, while its widespread, remember to use it with purpose; overuse of the passive voice can weaken your writing. Consider active alternatives to convey a more direct and impactful message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became subjected to

Replaces 'were' with 'became', indicating a process of becoming subject to something.

were exposed to

Focuses on the exposure to something, often implying a lack of protection.

were made to endure

Highlights the act of enduring something difficult or unpleasant.

were forced to undergo

Emphasizes the lack of choice in experiencing something.

were exposed to

Highlights that something was exposed, often unexpectedly.

were made victims of

Indicates that individuals or things suffered negatively.

were at the receiving end of

Highlights the receiving of an action, often negative.

experienced

A more direct verb expressing something was undergone, felt, or lived through.

underwent

Focuses on the process of experiencing something, often a procedure or test.

were compelled to

Emphasizes the element of compulsion or obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "were subjected to" in a sentence?

Use "were subjected to" to indicate that someone or something experienced a particular action or treatment. For example, "The prisoners "were subjected to torture"".

What are some alternatives to "were subjected to"?

Alternatives include "were exposed to", "were forced to", or "underwent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "were subjected to" and "were exposed to"?

"Were subjected to" often implies a deliberate or imposed action, while "were exposed to" suggests a lack of protection or an accidental encounter. For example, "The experiment participants "were subjected to rigorous testing"" versus "The population "were exposed to the virus"".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were subjected to"?

While "were subjected to" is in the passive voice, it is grammatically correct. However, consider using active voice for a more direct and impactful sentence. For example, instead of "The experiment "were subjected to intense scrutiny"", you could write "Critics intensely scrutinized the experiment".