be fooled into

USAGE SUMMARY

"be fooled into" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you wish to express that someone has been tricked into doing or believing something. Example: She was foolishly fooled into trusting the wrong person.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Weidmann warned that the public should not be fooled into thinking the ECB was "omnipotent".

The Guardian - Business

It's easy to be fooled into thinking that these reforms will be positive for disabled people.

Independent

If you can't identify it, don't be fooled into thinking it isn't there.

The New York Times

"We can't be fooled into teaching them those kinds of things".

The New York Times

Recruits whose mothers never issued underpants could be fooled into wearing their new drawers on parade.

The New York Times

Similarly, we shouldn't be fooled into thinking the banking crash and recession made people unemployed today.

Independent

How long will voters be fooled into believing the Republican Party owns a "big tent"?

The New York Times

We might be fooled into believing that the dignity of "the most vulnerable" is expendable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Children can easily be fooled into thinking they know someone who calls them by name.

The New York Times - Health

But he should not be fooled into thinking even this approach represents a permanent solution.

The Guardian - Opinion

You would not be the first to be fooled into thinking that.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be fooled into" to convey a sense of vulnerability or naivety on the part of the person being deceived. This can evoke empathy or highlight the cunning of the deceiver.

Common error

Avoid using "be fooled into" when you intend to emphasize the actor doing the fooling. In such cases, a more active construction (e.g., "They fooled him into believing...") is more appropriate and direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be fooled into" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of an action, in this case, being tricked or deceived. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be fooled into" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates someone has been tricked or deceived into doing something. Ludwig confirms its validity. It's commonly found in news articles, general writing, and even wiki how-to guides and this points to a neutral register.

When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about the source of deception. While there are many alternative phrases like "be tricked into" or "be deceived into", "be fooled into" often carries a nuance of naivety on the part of the deceived. Therefore, using it accurately enhances the impact of your message.

Be aware of the passive voice construction to avoid misinterpretations, and always aim to clearly express both the action and the implicit or explicit actor in the deception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be tricked into

Focuses on the act of being deceived to perform an action.

be deceived into

Highlights the act of deception that leads to a particular outcome.

be misled into

Emphasizes being guided incorrectly, resulting in a specific action.

be duped into

Stresses the foolishness of the person being tricked.

be hoodwinked into

Indicates being deceived in a cunning or elaborate way.

be inveigled into

Suggests being persuaded through flattery or deception.

be manipulated into

Highlights the control exerted by someone over another's actions.

fall for

Emphasizes the act of believing a deception.

be taken in by

Focuses on being deceived by someone's charm or appearance.

be conned into

Highlights the fraudulent nature of the deception.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be fooled into" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "be deceived into", "be misled into", or "be hoodwinked into", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "be fooled into" and "be tricked into"?

While "be fooled into" and "be tricked into" are very similar, "be fooled into" often implies a degree of naivety or lack of awareness on the part of the person being deceived, whereas "be tricked into" simply emphasizes the act of deception.

What are some common situations where people "be fooled into" something?

People commonly "be fooled into" believing false information, making poor decisions based on deceptive marketing, or trusting the wrong individuals due to manipulation or lies.

How to use "be fooled into" in a sentence?

You can use "be fooled into" in a sentence like: "Many investors "were fooled into" investing in the fraudulent scheme" or "Don't "be fooled into" thinking that success comes easily".