word usage - Use of "discriminate" as verb


Is the following sentence correct?



They are discriminated because of their skin colour.



My gut feeling tells me discriminate (in this sense) has to be followed by against. Dictionary examples use against too, but no rules are stated in OALD or Macmillan.



Answer



Your gut feeling is correct.


When the verb discriminate means to treat people unfairly, it isn't followed by a direct object. The preposition against is necessary to complete the meaning of the verb. So, you can't say *He discriminates them because of their skin colour. The sentence must be He discriminates against them because of their skin colour. When you switch the sentence in the passive form, it will be They are discriminated against because of their skin colour.


EDIT: After @Shoe's comment, I did some search. It appears that what I wrote in my answer is valid, but things are starting to change according to this chart.


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