I was propositioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was propositioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to being approached with an offer, typically of a sexual nature, by someone. Example: "During the party, I was propositioned by a stranger who seemed overly interested in me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In 2015, I was propositioned and groped by a 500 Startups venture partner named Tristan Pollock during an event here in Taipei while working as a contributor for TechCrunch.

TechCrunch

Once as a teenager, I was propositioned by a beautiful gay boy and I sort of went along with it.

Vice

Basically what happened is I was propositioned for sex by a creature that looked suspiciously like Danny Devito as "The Penguin" with a meth addiction.

Vice

The anxiety stems because a) I'm not a skilled whisky expert and b) Japanese whisky like this is expensive as hell and also c) it's only midnight and I still have a long night after these four pours (plus the highball I'd finished two minutes before I was propositioned this challenge).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A little bit of everything has happened to me on the street, I've been propositioned by police, I've traded my freedom and drugs from police for sex.

BMC Public Health

After I had been propositioned a couple of times, I began to wonder".

The Guardian - Film

Calm down with the propositions Am I the only person in California who feels like I've been "propositioned" to death?

Los Angeles Times

Aside from that, I've been propositioned a multitude of times.

Vice

Since nothing happened the following day, I figured she was propositioning me.

Huffington Post

In my seven years of incarceration, I had never been propositioned for sex, let alone pressured.

Vice

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was propositioned", consider the audience and context. It's a relatively formal way to describe being approached with an offer, usually of a sexual nature, and may not be appropriate in all situations. Choose alternative wording like "I was approached" or "I received an offer" if a more neutral tone is needed.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I was propositioned" is in the passive voice. Over-reliance on passive voice can make writing sound weak or evasive. Consider using the active voice, like "Someone propositioned me", for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was propositioned" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (I) was the recipient of an action (being propositioned). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The construction places emphasis on the receiver of the proposition rather than the proposer.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was propositioned" is a grammatically correct way to describe receiving an offer, often sexual, from someone. Ludwig AI highlights its passive construction and common use in news and media, and sometimes in scientific contexts. It's essential to be mindful of the audience and context when using this phrase. Alternatives like "I received a sexual advance" or "someone made a pass at me" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Avoid overusing the passive voice for stronger writing. With a "correct" grammatical status and a neutral register, this phrase is useful when reporting such events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was indecently propositioned

Adds emphasis on the inappropriateness of the proposition.

I was asked for sexual favors

Direct and explicit, highlighting the request for sexual acts.

I was sexually solicited

More formal and clinical, highlighting the sexual nature of the offer.

I received a sexual advance

More formal and direct, focusing on the 'advance' made.

I was approached with a suggestive offer

More descriptive and indirect, softening the explicit nature of the proposition.

Someone made a pass at me

More informal and idiomatic, implying a brief or clumsy attempt.

Someone came onto me

Informal, implying a direct and possibly unwanted advance.

I had someone come on to me

Informal, implying a direct and possibly unwanted advance.

I was hit on

Informal and common, suggesting a direct approach.

I was offered a compromising arrangement

Euphemistic, suggesting a potentially risky or unethical proposal.

FAQs

What does "I was propositioned" mean?

The phrase "I was propositioned" means that someone made an offer or suggestion to you, often of a sexual nature. It implies that you were approached with a proposal that you may or may not have welcomed.

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

You can use alternatives like "I received a sexual advance", "someone made a pass at me", or "I was hit on", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "I was propositioned" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "I was propositioned" can sound somewhat formal or clinical. In formal writing, consider using a more direct or descriptive phrase like "I was sexually solicited" or "I was asked for sexual favors" if you need to be very precise.

What's the difference between "I was propositioned" and "I was approached"?

"I was approached" is a more general term that simply means someone came up to you and started a conversation or made an offer. "I was propositioned" specifically implies that the offer was of a sexual nature or involved something potentially unethical or compromising.