be misled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be misled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is given false or inaccurate information, leading them to make a wrong decision or assumption. For example: "The stock market report was full of inaccurate information, and many investors were misled into making poor decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Might I be misled?

The New York Times

But don't be misled.

The New York Times - Arts

But do not be misled.

The Economist

It's easy to be misled.

The New York Times

They shouldn't be misled.

The Guardian - Tech

Don't be misled, however.

The New York Times - Sports

Don't be misled by the rumours.

Independent

Don't be misled by the rumors.

Independent

But don't be misled by this.

Yale University

Don't be misled by well-intentioned advice.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That may be misleading.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be misled", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the misleading. This often requires specifying the source of the misinformation to maintain clarity and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be misled" without specifying the agent responsible for the deception. Without clear attribution, the sentence may lack clarity and leave the reader uncertain about the source of the misleading information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be misled" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of a misleading action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be misled" is a versatile passive construction used to express that someone has been deceived or given false information. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in "News & Media", scientific, and academic contexts, the phrase serves to highlight the act of deception and its impact on the recipient. To ensure clarity, always specify the source of misinformation. Synonymous options include "be deceived" and "be fooled", offering nuanced alternatives for varied expressive needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be deceived

Focuses on the act of tricking someone into believing something false.

be fooled

Implies a lack of intelligence or awareness on the part of the person being misled.

be deluded

Suggests a stronger sense of false belief, often self-induced.

be taken in

Highlights the act of being persuaded or charmed into a false belief.

be hoodwinked

Emphasizes the cunning or trickery involved in the act of misleading.

be bamboozled

Indicates confusion and bewilderment as a result of being misled.

be duped

Highlights the vulnerability of the person being misled.

be led astray

Implies a deviation from the correct path or understanding.

be given false information

Directly states the provision of incorrect data as the cause of being misled.

be misinformed

Focuses on the lack of accurate information.

FAQs

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

Use "be misled" to indicate that someone has been given incorrect or deceptive information, leading them to a wrong conclusion. For example, "Consumers can "be misled" by advertising that makes false claims."

What is a synonym for "be misled"?

Synonyms for "be misled" include "be deceived", "be fooled", or "be taken in". Choose the synonym that best fits the specific nuance of the sentence.

Is it better to use "be misled" or "be misinformed"?

"Be misled" implies an intention to deceive, while "be misinformed" simply means lacking accurate information. Choose "be misled" when deception is involved, and "be misinformed" when it's a matter of lacking correct facts.

What is the difference between "be misled" and "mislead"?

"Mislead" is a verb that means to cause someone to believe something that is not true. "Be misled" is the passive form, indicating that someone is the recipient of the misleading action. For example, "The company misled investors" versus "Investors were "be misled" by the company."