I was taken in by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was taken in by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that you were deceived or misled by someone or something. Example: "I was taken in by his charming words and believed every promise he made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"I was taken in by his charm," Mikhael says in the documentary.

The New Yorker

As a 13-year[old I was taken in by it. I'm not sure how many people would be now.

The Guardian

I came to this country from India primarily because I was curious about it, possibly because I was taken in by the lure of its marketing.

The New York Times

On two recent weeknights, I was taken in by the easy romance of this small, gracious restaurant at the edge of Memorial Park, just opposite the train station.

The New York Times

Shipped over from England to escape Hitler's bombs, I was taken in by Otto and Eloise Spaeth, who already had four children.

The New Yorker

Even so, I was taken in by the photographs of gardens entirely inappropriate to my situation and seduced by plant catalogs a friend refers to as rose porn.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

So how could I be taken in by cotton-candy girl-power set to an Abba soundtrack?

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm taken in by your enthusiasm for a sport that I never play (OK and perhaps a little Yankee bashing too) but how does the scoring systems work?" asks Raniero Leto (who adds, "the only good American..is a south American!") No worries, Raniero - just scroll down to the bottom of the page where you'll find news, comment - and details of how the scoring system works".

The Guardian - Sport

How could I be taken in by your efforts to get me to believe something false, if I know what you're up to?

SEP

Prof Mary Beard, the Cambridge classicist and television presenter, tweeted: "Does Sutton Trust report really think I'm taken in by slick expensive personal statements on Ucas forms?

BBC

Although I enjoyed the thought of helping people, truthfully, I was taken in more by the science.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "I was deceived by" or "I fell for" if you want to emphasize the deception rather than the charm.

Common error

Avoid using "I was taken in by" when you simply agreed with something without further thought. It specifically implies a form of deception or being overly charmed, not just simple agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was taken in by" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a state of having been charmed or deceived. As Ludwig examples show, it is typically followed by the object of charm or deceit. The AI validates this construction as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was taken in by" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a situation where someone has been charmed, deceived, or strongly influenced by an external factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a personal experience of being misled or persuaded, sometimes implying a lack of judgment. While "I was taken in by" is generally neutral in tone, understanding its specific nuance is key to using it appropriately. If you intend to convey straightforward deceit rather than charm, consider alternatives like "I was deceived by" or "I was misled by". Furthermore, avoid using it when simply agreeing with something without implying deception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was deceived by

Focuses specifically on the act of being misled or tricked.

I was fooled by

A straightforward way to say you were tricked.

I was misled by

Directly indicates that false information led to a wrong belief or action.

I fell for

An informal way of saying you were tricked or charmed by something.

I was duped by

Suggests a deliberate and often malicious deception.

I was charmed by

Highlights the allure or attractiveness of what influenced you.

I was swayed by

Highlights the influence that changed your opinion or decision.

I was seduced by

Emphasizes a strong attraction or persuasion, often implying something enticing.

I succumbed to

Indicates giving in to an influence or temptation.

I was beguiled by

Suggests being charmed and deceived in a subtle, alluring way.

FAQs

What does "I was taken in by" mean?

The phrase "I was taken in by" means you were charmed, deceived, or strongly influenced by something or someone, often leading you to believe or do something you later regret. It implies a degree of vulnerability or naivety on your part.

What can I say instead of "I was taken in by"?

You can use alternatives like "I was deceived by", "I fell for", "I was charmed by", or "I was misled by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I was taken in by"?

Yes, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's suitable for expressing that you were influenced or deceived by something.

What's the difference between "I was taken in by" and "I agreed with"?

"I was taken in by" implies a degree of deception or being overly charmed, leading you to a belief or action. "I agreed with" simply means you shared the same opinion or reached a consensus, without necessarily implying deception or charm.