be misled into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be misled into" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is deceived or led to believe something that is not true. Example: "He was misled into thinking that the investment was safe, which ultimately cost him a lot of money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Furthermore, the viewer should not be misled into thinking that Mickey is a mouse because he uses the name "Mouse".

The New Yorker

"Investors shouldn't be misled into believing these funds are as safe as a bank account," he says.

The New York Times

Second, one should not be misled into believing French advances equate to the success of a military intervention.

The Guardian

Don't be misled into thinking that picture books must be easy to write because there are so few words.

The Guardian - Books

"The people must not be misled into believing – even if they like the rhetoric – that the Conservative party are the best force for alleviating poverty and overcoming unemployment.

The Guardian

But councillors surely won't be misled into believing the various initiatives coming from the Tories add up to a coherent package.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

New experiences, which cannot be explained in this way, are in 'reconciliation', which can, however, be misleading into a misconception.

International Journal of STEM Education

Soldiers didn't cause the war, but they were misled into believing it was just.

The New York Times

I did have a strong feeling we were misled into it.

The New York Times

Investors have complained that they were misled into believing the investments were safe.

The New York Times

As a result, many students are misled into choosing universities based on false impressions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be misled into", ensure the sentence clearly identifies who is doing the misleading and what the intended deception is. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be misled into" when "mistaken" is more appropriate. "Misled" implies intentional deception, while "mistaken" suggests an honest error. For example, say "They were mistaken about the facts", not "They were misled about the facts" if there was no intent to deceive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be misled into" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something is being deceived or influenced to believe something untrue. This structure emphasizes the recipient of the action rather than the actor. Ludwig examples confirm its passive and deceptive nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be misled into" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations where someone is deceived or wrongly influenced into believing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a passive construction, highlighting the recipient of the deception. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its purpose is to communicate a state of being deceived, often with a cautionary tone. To avoid misusing the phrase, remember that "misled" implies intentional deception, unlike "mistaken", which suggests an honest error. Alternatives such as "be deceived into" or "be tricked into" offer subtle variations in meaning, enriching your writing with nuanced expression. When you use the expression "be misled into", be mindful of the actor, the recipient and the context of deception to get clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be deceived into

Implies a deliberate act of trickery leading to a false belief.

be tricked into

Suggests a cunning or deceitful method was used to cause someone to do something.

be duped into

Highlights naivety on the part of the person being misled.

be fooled into

Indicates a lack of awareness or intelligence in the person being misled.

be conned into

Emphasizes a fraudulent scheme or swindle leading to a particular action or belief.

be hoodwinked into

Suggests a subtle form of deception where the person is blinded to the truth.

be persuaded into

Highlights the power of influence, whether based on true information or false.

be coaxed into

Implies gentle persuasion to get someone to do something.

be induced into

Suggests using incentives or motivations to lead someone towards a certain action or belief.

be brainwashed into

Indicates a systematic and intensive indoctrination leading to a change in beliefs.

FAQs

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

Use "be misled into" to describe a situation where someone is deceived or given false information that leads them to a wrong conclusion. For example, "The public was misled into believing the product was safe."

What's a synonym for "be misled into"?

Alternatives to "be misled into" include "be deceived into", "be tricked into", or "be duped into", each carrying slightly different connotations of intentionality and impact.

Is it always negative to "be misled into" something?

Yes, "be misled into" always carries a negative connotation, as it implies deception or inaccurate information leading to a wrong belief or action. It suggests a failure in judgment or understanding due to external influence.

What is the difference between "be misled into" and "be mistaken about"?

"Be misled into" suggests that someone was intentionally deceived, while "be mistaken about" implies an honest error or misunderstanding. "They were "misled into" investing in the company" suggests fraud, whereas "They were "mistaken about" the company's prospects" suggests a genuine misjudgment.