The expression "subjected to the whims of" signifies being placed in a position where one is forced to endure and be affected by the unpredictable, capricious, and often irrational desires or decisions of a person, group, or even a force like fate or the market. It implies a lack of control and a vulnerability to the arbitrary actions of another.
The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While each word has its own meaning, the combination creates a specific sense of vulnerability and lack of control. "Subjected" implies a forced experience, "whims" suggests impulsiveness, and "of" connects the subject to the source of those whims.
The register is generally neutral to formal, often appearing in journalistic, academic, and literary contexts. It is not typically used in casual conversation.
The grammatical pattern is: be subjected to + the whims of + [noun/pronoun referring to the source of the whims].
The verb "subjected" is typically used in the passive voice (e.g., "is subjected to," "was subjected to," "are subjected to"). The phrase always includes the preposition "to" and the noun "whims," which is almost always plural. The noun or pronoun following "of" indicates who or what is exercising the unpredictable influence.
The components should not be separated. The phrase functions as a fixed expression. For instance, you cannot say "subjected to the desires of whims" or "subjected to the fancy of."
It sounds unnatural to use:
"He actually meant to refer to Voltaire's celebrated philosophical novel Zadig, about a Babylonian man subjected to the whims of fate." — The Guardian - Books
"We're subjected to the whims of the landlord, who is able to behave in a complacent way because of the power imbalance." — The Guardian
"The Burmese people have been subjected to the whims of despotic leaders for so long that "government" has been included in a traditional lament about the "five evils" in life, along with fire, water, thieves, and enemies." — The New Yorker
"The Constitution's promise to "secure the blessings of liberty" means that we will enjoy the stability of the rule of law instead of being subjected to the whims of the rich and powerful." — HuffPost
"Because we're in the securities industry, we're subject to the whims of the market." — Yale University
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/subjected+to+the+whims+of
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| at the mercy of | Similar meaning, emphasizes vulnerability and helplessness. |
| subject to the authority of | Focuses on formal power and control. |
| dependent on | Highlights reliance and lack of independence. |
| controlled by | Emphasizes direct influence and manipulation. |
| governed by | Suggests a system of rules, even if those rules are arbitrary. |
| vulnerable to | Highlights susceptibility to negative consequences. |
| under the control of | Similar to 'controlled by', but perhaps less direct. |
| Expression | Meaning | Grammatical Pattern | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| subjected to the whims of | Forced to endure unpredictable and often irrational desires or decisions. | be subjected to + the whims of + [noun/pronoun] | Neutral to Formal |
No, the parts of the phrase "subjected to the whims of" should not be separated. It functions as a fixed expression, and separating the components would disrupt the meaning and grammatical structure.
Both phrases convey a sense of vulnerability, but "subjected to the whims of" specifically highlights the unpredictable and capricious nature of the influencing force. "At the mercy of" is broader, simply emphasizing a lack of control and potential for harm from an external source, without necessarily implying irrationality.
A common mistake is using the wrong preposition after "subjected." Remember that the correct preposition is "to," not "with" or "by." Also, ensure you understand that "whims" refers to unpredictable desires or decisions, and use this phrase only when that meaning is appropriate. Using a different noun changes the entire meaning.
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