be deluded into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be deluded into" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is misled or deceived into believing something that is not true. Example: "He seemed to be deluded into thinking that he would win the lottery without buying a ticket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

("His young fans" shouldn't be deluded into thinking otherwise).

The New Yorker

No one should be deluded into thinking the measure is a cure-all, however.

The New York Times

The point is to create an alternative, not to be deluded into thinking there is an open election that can be won.

The New Yorker

Writing had not redeemed him, and he did not want anyone, including himself, to be deluded into thinking that it had, or that it could.

The New Yorker

For instance, healthy people can be deluded into greater happiness when granted the mere illusion of control over their environment; the clinically depressed recognize the illusion for what it is.

The New York Times - Books

"There's a passage when Jane [tries] to convince herself that she must... not be deluded into thinking Mr Rochester liked her more than an employer would... because she does not deserve his attention.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But let us not be deluding into thinking that every extreme event is evidence supporting our worry.

HuffPost

How many women have been deluded into thinking that work is the cause of domestic problems?

The Guardian - Opinion

Iceland went bust because a country of fishermen was deluded into thinking it had become a giant investment bank.

The Economist

But because land's fraction was rising until recently, people may have been deluded into thinking that investments in housing and land were one and the same.

The New York Times

Many black people have been deluded into thinking that our BMWs, Lexuses, Porsches, Benzes, titles, heavily mortgaged condos and living environments can influence people who are fundamentally immoral".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be deluded into" when you want to emphasize that someone's belief is based on deception or a misunderstanding, not just a simple mistake.

Common error

Avoid using "be deluded into" when a simple mistake or misunderstanding is involved. The phrase implies a significant degree of deception or self-deception, so reserve it for situations where the belief is strongly misguided or manipulated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be deluded into" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of an action that leads them to a false belief. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing scenarios where individuals or groups are misled.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be deluded into" serves to describe situations where someone is misled or deceived into adopting a false belief. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees common usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business writing. The phrase is considered to be of neutral register, indicating it fits for academic, professional, and news contexts. When using "be deluded into", it's important to ensure clarity and avoid using it in scenarios involving simple mistakes. Instead, reserve its use for circumstances of deliberate deception or strong self-deception, making its application both precise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be deceived into

Replaces "deluded" with "deceived", maintaining the passive voice and the sense of being intentionally misled.

be misled into

Substitutes "deluded" with "misled", indicating a slightly less forceful form of deception.

be fooled into

Replaces "deluded" with "fooled", suggesting a simpler form of deception.

be duped into

Replaces "deluded" with "duped", indicating that someone has been easily fooled.

be tricked into

Uses "tricked" to suggest a more cunning or manipulative form of deception.

be hoodwinked into

Uses "hoodwinked" to imply a more elaborate and deceptive scheme.

be bamboozled into

Uses "bamboozled" to suggest being confused and deceived.

fall for

Employs a more informal and idiomatic expression for being deceived.

be inveigled into

Implies persuasion or flattery was used to deceive.

succumb to the illusion of

This phrase indicates a yielding to a false perception, rather than direct deception.

FAQs

How can I use "be deluded into" in a sentence?

You can use "be deluded into" to describe someone who has been tricked or deceived into believing something that is not true. For example, "The public was "misled into" thinking the product was safe."

What are some alternatives to "be deluded into"?

Alternatives include "be deceived into", "be misled into", or "be tricked into". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be deluded into" or "be misled into"?

"Be deluded into" implies a stronger sense of deception and often self-deception than ""be misled into"". If the person is actively maintaining a false belief, "be deluded into" is more appropriate.

What's the difference between "be deluded into believing" and "believe"?

The phrase "be deluded into believing" indicates that the belief is based on deception or a false impression, while simply "believe" suggests a genuine conviction, regardless of its truth.