be conned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be conned" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to being deceived or tricked, often in a financial context. Example: "He was so eager to invest that he ended up being conned by a scam artist." Alternative expressions include "be deceived" and "be tricked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She could not be conned, though.

The New York Times

But they may believe that the public can be conned.

The New York Times

Do some victims, consciously or not, practically beg to be conned?

The New York Times

"He won't be bounced, he won't be bullied and he won't be conned.

Independent

CHICAGO — Desmond Bishop, the middle linebacker of the Green Bay Packers, cannot easily be conned.

The New York Times - Sports

"You wouldn't want to live in a world where you couldn't be conned," he said.

The New York Times

Even trained intelligence officers can be conned by basic hacking campaigns designed to win their trust.

The Washington Post

Moore, no man to be conned, hit him a corker of a punch in return, when he wasn't expecting it.

The New Yorker

The commissioner was asked by a reporter about protest signs that warned New Yorkers, "Don't be conned by Sadik-Khan".

The New York Times

"And I don't think the millions who watch this show should be conned into thinking you can be".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

No one is conned.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about scams or frauds, "be conned" can add a vivid and relatable element to your narrative, highlighting the victim's experience.

Common error

Avoid using "be conned" for simple mistakes or misunderstandings. This phrase is best reserved for deliberate and often elaborate schemes designed to deceive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be conned" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone is the recipient of the action of being tricked or deceived. It implies a deliberate act of deception by another party, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be conned" is a passive verb phrase used to describe being deceived or tricked, often for financial gain. As highlighted by Ludwig, this grammatically sound phrase is very common in news and media contexts. While appropriate for neutral and informal settings, it should be reserved for deliberate acts of deception, not simple mistakes. Remember, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be deceived

Replaces "conned" with a more formal synonym, "deceived".

be tricked

Uses a more common and simpler synonym for "conned".

be swindled

Implies a financial deception, similar to being conned.

be duped

Suggests being fooled or misled, close to the meaning of "conned".

fall victim to a scam

Describes the situation of being conned in a more detailed way.

be taken advantage of

Highlights the exploitation aspect of being conned.

be hoodwinked

Emphasizes the cleverness of the deception.

be defrauded

Specifically refers to financial trickery or fraud.

be played for a fool

Highlights the feeling of humiliation after being conned.

be bamboozled

Uses a more informal and playful synonym for "conned".

FAQs

What does it mean to "be conned"?

To "be conned" means to be tricked or deceived, often financially, through a deliberate and skillful scheme. It implies the victim was manipulated into believing something false.

What can I say instead of "be conned"?

You can use alternatives like "be deceived", "be tricked", or "be swindled" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "be conned"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Be conned" is a passive form of the verb "con" and is commonly used in English writing and speech.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be conned"?

Use "be conned" when you want to emphasize that someone was a victim of a deceptive scheme, particularly one involving financial loss or manipulation. It's not appropriate for simple errors or misunderstandings.