be fooled

USAGE SUMMARY

"be fooled" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to someone being deceived or misled. Example: "Don't let yourself be fooled by their promises." Alternative expressions include "be deceived" and "be tricked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do not be fooled.

Independent

Don't be fooled.

The New York Times

Testers can be fooled.

The New York Times - Sports

They can't be fooled.

Independent

Don't be fooled, though.

The Guardian - Music

Dont be fooled though.

The New York Times

Let nobody be fooled.

The Guardian - Opinion

You want to be fooled".

The New Yorker

We long to be fooled.

The New York Times - Books

"We shouldn't be fooled anymore.

The New York Times

You can! Don't be fooled.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be fooled" in your writing, consider the context and choose a related phrase if a more specific nuance is needed. For instance, "be deceived" might be more appropriate in a formal setting, while "fall for it" is suitable for informal conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "be fooled" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The magician can be fooled", consider "Someone can fool the magician" to emphasize the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be fooled" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of the action of being tricked or deceived. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples where it's used to warn or advise against being misled.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be fooled" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to caution against deception. As Ludwig confirms, it frequently appears in news and media contexts, serving to warn audiences about potential trickery. While alternatives like "be deceived" or "be tricked" offer similar meanings, "be fooled" maintains a neutral tone suitable for broad application. When writing, ensure the passive voice aligns with your intended emphasis, and avoid using it when an active voice construction would be clearer. With a high source quality score, "be fooled" remains a reliable and widely understood phrase in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be deceived

Uses a more formal verb to convey a similar meaning of being tricked.

be tricked

Employs a simpler, more direct verb to indicate being deceived.

be misled

Suggests being guided in the wrong direction, leading to deception.

be duped

Implies being cleverly tricked, often for personal gain.

fall for it

An idiomatic expression indicating acceptance of a deception.

be taken in

Suggests being charmed or persuaded into believing something false.

be hoodwinked

Indicates being deceived through trickery and misdirection.

be bamboozled

Implies being confused and deceived by elaborate trickery.

be conned

Suggests being persuaded to give money or something else of value, based on deception.

be swindled

Implies being cheated out of money or property through deceit.

FAQs

What does "be fooled" mean?

The phrase "be fooled" means to be tricked or deceived into believing something that is not true.

How can I use "be fooled" in a sentence?

You can use "be fooled" in sentences like, "Don't "be fooled" by appearances" or "Testers can "be fooled"."

What can I say instead of "be fooled"?

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

What's the difference between "be fooled" and "be deceived"?

While both phrases mean to be tricked, "be deceived" often implies a more deliberate or cunning act of trickery than "be fooled".