I was bribed

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was bribed" is a perfectly correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation in which someone has offered you something in exchange for a favor. For example: "I was bribed with a new car to keep quiet about the illegal activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Unfortunately, he thought I was bribing him.

The New York Times

Someone once told me I was bribing my children to ski with hot chocolate.

The New York Times - Sports

So I had this little idea: wouldn't it be funny if I pretended I was bribing Sepp Blatter?

The Guardian

I felt relieved when an irritating, gawky journalist cantered up to the window and interrupted, even though I was bribing Sobhraj's guards every 15 minutes for the privilege of talking to him.

Vice

"I am being bribed and I like it".

Vice

"You think I can be bribed so easily?" I asked.

The New York Times - Magazine

Maybe she's been forewarned I can be bribed with cake, because when I arrive at the Fulham home of the garden writer Jane McMorland Hunter there is a strong smell of fresh pastry and an apple loaf cooling on the side.

Independent

Be warned, though, that I cannot be bribed into picking a Sucker Punch of the week.

Huffington Post

When peace was announced following the 1763 Treaty of Paris, Gage began lobbying for another posting, as he was "very much [tired] of this cursed Climate, and I must be bribed very high to stay here any longer".

Wikipedia

This is when I realized the manufacturer was bribing a government official.

The New York Times

"I have never, ever received a gift from anybody," she said, "and I've never been bribed by any designer".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was bribed", ensure the context clearly indicates who offered the bribe and what the expected action was in return for the bribe. This adds clarity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating who did the bribing. Instead of just saying "I was bribed", specify who offered the bribe to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was bribed" functions as a statement in the passive voice, indicating that the speaker was the recipient of a bribe. According to Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct construction. The emphasis is on the action performed upon the speaker.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was bribed" is a grammatically sound passive voice construction used to convey that the speaker was the target of bribery. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, often in discussions of corruption or ethical violations. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specifying the briber enhances the statement's impact. Consider alternatives like "I received a bribe" or "I was offered a payoff" depending on the nuance you want to express. The Ludwig examples emphasize real-world usage, solidifying its place in everyday language when discussing serious ethical issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received a bribe

Focuses on the action of receiving rather than the state of being bribed.

I was offered a payoff

Uses 'payoff' as a synonym for bribe, emphasizing the illicit payment.

I succumbed to bribery

Highlights the act of giving in to bribery, suggesting a loss of integrity.

I took a backhander

An informal term for a bribe, implying secrecy and illegality.

I was corrupted by money

Emphasizes the corrupting influence of money, a common motivator for bribes.

I was induced with incentives

Uses more neutral terms like 'induced' and 'incentives' to soften the impact.

I accepted illicit compensation

Replaces "bribed" with a more formal and legal-sounding phrase.

I let myself be bought

Focuses on the loss of personal agency and integrity.

My principles were compromised

Emphasizes the ethical violation rather than the direct act of bribery.

I was suborned

A formal and less common synonym for bribed, implying incitement to do wrong.

FAQs

How to use "I was bribed" in a sentence?

Use "I was bribed" to express that someone offered you something of value to influence your actions. For example, "I was bribed with a large sum of money to keep silent about the incident."

What's the difference between "I was bribed" and "I accepted a bribe"?

"I was bribed" focuses on the action directed towards you, while "I accepted a bribe" emphasizes your decision to take the bribe. The first one focus on the offer, the second one on the acceptance. You can use alternatives like "I received a bribe", or "I took a bribe".

What can I say instead of "I was bribed"?

You can use alternatives like "I received a bribe", "I was offered a payoff", or "I succumbed to bribery" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I have been bribed" instead of "I was bribed"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different implications. "I was bribed" refers to a specific event in the past. "I have been bribed" suggests a state resulting from a past event that may still be relevant or ongoing. The choice depends on the context.