I was conned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was conned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that you were deceived or tricked by someone. Example: "After realizing I paid too much for that fake watch, I felt embarrassed to admit that I was conned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If it was the latter, I was conned, and conned quite effectively".

The New Yorker

Some?!" Then I quickly ducked into David's Tea where I was conned into buying SO much tea for tons of money!

Vice

While Pressman describes the est training as "a mish-mash of self-help theories, common-sense psychology, and dime-store ideas of motivation," Wakefield, who had experienced the est training personally states, "If I was "conned" by that "mish-mash" when I did est in 1984, I'm grateful I was conned into losing the addiction to alcohol that had plagued me for a quarter of a century".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Sometimes they think I'm conning them when I talk about justice and true love.

The New York Times - Arts

I've spoken to the referee I think he was conned, but we're disappointed that we allowed their lad to get in there in the first place.

BBC

That said, I don't think Levin was conned as much as he didn't spend enough time doing due diligence.

Forbes

"It was very slim and I had a look and I thought 'I've been conned out of money here'.

BBC

Twenty pages more and I realised I'd been conned by the frivolous wrapping and was now racing through the darkest, unhappiest book I have ever held in my hands.

The Guardian - Books

When I realised that my latest phone bill had drained my bank balance by coming in at more than £100, I knew I had been conned.

Independent

After saying goodbye to the girls with platonic pats on the back, my face immersed in, almost protected by, the homogeneity on the train, I knew I had been conned, but just for the tea, not the commission.

Vice

I felt that I had been conned out of my bank details, but I thought not much more about it.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “I was conned” to express a feeling of betrayal and deception, often implying a clever or elaborate scheme. For emphasis, specify what you were conned out of (e.g. "I was conned out of my savings").

Common error

While "I was conned" is widely understood, it can sound informal in professional or academic settings. In such situations, consider using more formal alternatives like "I was deceived" or "I was defrauded."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was conned" functions as a statement expressing that the speaker was deceived or tricked. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English. This construction uses the passive voice to emphasize the speaker's experience as the recipient of the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was conned" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey that one has been tricked or deceived. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in professional or academic settings. The phrase is prevalent in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating a generally neutral to informal register. When using the phrase, consider specifying what you were conned out of for added clarity. While widely understood, avoid overusing it in highly formal contexts, opting for alternatives like "I was deceived" or "I was defrauded" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was deceived

Focuses on the act of being misled, implying a more formal or deliberate deception.

I was tricked

Emphasizes the act of being fooled through cunning or deception.

I was duped

Highlights the feeling of being foolishly deceived, often in a gullible manner.

I was swindled

Implies financial fraud or deceit, often involving significant loss.

I was bamboozled

Suggests a playful or lighthearted deception, often used for comedic effect.

I was hoodwinked

Emphasizes the act of being deceived by a false appearance or trick.

I was taken advantage of

Focuses on the exploitation of trust or vulnerability, rather than direct deceit.

I was played

Suggests manipulation in a strategic or calculated manner, as in a game.

I was had

An informal way of saying that one has been tricked or deceived.

I fell for it

Emphasizes the speaker's role in believing the deception, rather than the deceiver's actions.

FAQs

What does the phrase "I was conned" mean?

The phrase "I was conned" means that you were tricked or deceived, often out of something valuable like money or trust. It implies that someone used a clever or dishonest scheme to take advantage of you.

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

You can use alternatives like "I was deceived", "I was tricked", or "I was duped" depending on the context. These phrases offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

Is "I was conned" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I was conned" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction using the past tense of the verb "to con."

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I was conned"?

It's appropriate to use "I was conned" in informal or neutral contexts when you want to express that you were tricked or deceived. Avoid using it in highly formal or professional settings, where alternatives like "I was defrauded" might be more suitable.