I was smuggled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was smuggled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone was secretly transported, often illegally, from one place to another. Example: "After the war broke out, I was smuggled across the border to safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I was smuggled out through the border to Turkey.

The Guardian

There was a dinner after the final show just for the tutors, but I was smuggled in to meet Scorsese over dessert.

The Guardian - Arts

As I was smuggled back across the internal border, a soldier launched a grenade at me and the shrapnel sliced into my face and chest.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was smuggled into Lebanon because in Syria if they find out that you are wounded, they will cut you up and send you back to your family," said a 43-year-old patient from the besieged Baba Amr  neighborhood in Homs, who did not disclose his name for fear of reprisals.

The New York Times

I knew that I couldn't make it past a border checkpoint, so for that reason I was smuggled into Turkey in August by the FSA.

Vice

I, the little devil that I was, smuggled a bag of 'shrooms with me to help me get through the sea escapade.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"People thought I was smuggling diamonds.

The New York Times - Health

"I wondered whether I was smuggling something out for him.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was smuggling propane torches and large quantities of crack on to Delta flights".

The Guardian - Books

Mad seemed so anarchic that I hid it from teachers who, I assumed, would cry "Potrzebie!" were they ever to discover I was smuggling the Usual Gang of Idiots into my locker.

The New York Times - Books

Seeing me sweat, you'd think I was smuggling ten machine guns, 20kg of coke, and a dismembered corpse.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was smuggled", ensure the context clearly indicates who was responsible for the smuggling and what the purpose was.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "smuggled". For instance, it's correct to say "I was smuggled into the country", not "I was smuggled to the country".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was smuggled" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being transported secretly and often illegally. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was smuggled" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the experience of being secretly and often illegally transported. Ludwig AI confirms this. While relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts when individuals recount their experience. The phrase typically conveys a sense of vulnerability or a situation involving illegal activity. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who facilitated the smuggling and the intended purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was trafficked

This alternative implies a more severe form of illegal transportation, often involving exploitation.

I was transported illegally

This alternative is more formal and directly states the illegal nature of the transportation.

I was moved clandestinely

This alternative emphasizes the secrecy of the transportation.

I was spirited away

This alternative suggests a more dramatic and perhaps romanticized version of being secretly moved.

I was sneaked in

This alternative is more informal and suggests a less elaborate operation.

I was ushered secretly

This alternative emphasizes assistance in secret.

I was covertly extracted

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the element of removal from a dangerous situation.

I was furtively conveyed

This alternative emphasizes stealth and secrecy in the transportation.

I was spirited across

This alternative suggests movement across a boundary or border.

I was bootlegged in

This alternative suggests illegal transportation of goods or people, often in the context of avoiding regulations.

FAQs

What does "I was smuggled" mean?

The phrase "I was smuggled" indicates that someone was secretly and often illegally transported from one place to another, typically to avoid detection by authorities.

What are some alternatives to saying "I was smuggled"?

You can use alternatives like "I was trafficked", "I was transported illegally", or "I was moved clandestinely" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I was smuggled"?

Yes, "I was smuggled" is grammatically correct. It's a passive voice construction where the subject ("I") received the action of being smuggled.

What is the difference between "I was smuggled" and "I immigrated"?

"I was smuggled" implies illegal and secret transportation, whereas "I immigrated" suggests a legal and official process of moving to a new country.