could be bribed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be bribed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for someone to accept a bribe or be influenced by unethical means. Example: "The investigation revealed that several officials could be bribed to overlook the violations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

These arguments crucially appeal to a characterization of god as a craftsman and a ruler: god would be a poor craftsman indeed if he did not attend to even the small parts of the whole (i.e., human beings), and a bad ruler if he could be bribed with prayers and sacrifices.[56] The Athenian goes back and forth, in the entire text of the Laws, between speaking of 'god' and 'the gods'.

SEP

Several people had asked if he could be bribed.

The New Yorker

That way, it was reckoned, no one could be bribed.

The Guardian - Books

A former general secretary of FIFA, Michel Zen-Ruffinen, also reportedly told The Sunday Times while being secretly filmed the names of officials who could be bribed.

The New York Times - Sports

An opium farmer in Pratapgarh said the black market price was double the government's, and local crop inspectors could be bribed for as little as $25.

The New York Times - Health

One technique, he said, which the groups had used throughout Latin America, was to arrive "with a bag of cash" and see who could be bribed for use of an airport or seaport.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

By banning photos, you couldn't prove how you voted, and thus you couldn't be bribed or coerced into voting a certain way.

The Washington Post

Those who could not be bribed were intimidated; the cartels threatened to kill them and their families, and often did.

The New York Times

He was a persistent advocate for press freedom, Mario Vargas Llosa calling him an "indefatigable defender of freedom and democracy" whose publication "could never be bribed or intimidated".

Independent

Waseso said that crocodiles would be better at preventing drug traffickers from escaping prison as they could not be bribed – unlike human guards.

The Guardian

Mr. Zeman is regarded as personally incorruptible, a perception solidified in the police surveillance recording of a notorious gangster who was caught complaining in March 2000 that Mr. Zeman could not be bribed, and wanted only "a sandwich, three pickles and for people to like him".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be bribed" to express a possibility or suspicion rather than a certainty. For example, "It was suspected that the officials could be bribed".

Common error

Avoid using "could be bribed" when you have concrete evidence of bribery. Instead, use stronger language such as "were bribed" or "accepted bribes" to reflect the factual nature of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be bribed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating a potential action that might be done to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be bribed" is a commonly used phrase to express the possibility or suspicion of someone being susceptible to bribery. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and versatility, particularly in news and academic contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and ensure you are expressing a possibility rather than stating a fact. Alternatives such as "susceptible to bribery" or "open to corruption" can be used for similar meanings. It's crucial to avoid overstating the possibility as a certainty unless you have concrete evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

susceptible to bribery

Changes the verb to an adjective, emphasizing vulnerability to bribery.

open to corruption

Replaces "bribed" with "corruption", focusing on the broader concept of dishonesty.

vulnerable to inducement

Substitutes "bribed" with "inducement", highlighting the act of persuading someone through incentives.

liable to be suborned

Uses the more formal term "suborned", indicating the act of inducing someone to commit perjury or another unlawful act.

easy to corrupt

Shifts the focus to the ease with which someone can be corrupted.

able to be swayed by bribery

Emphasizes the influence of bribery on someone's decisions.

potentially corruptible

Uses the adjective "corruptible" to describe the inherent possibility of corruption.

might be susceptible to influence

Broadens the scope to any kind of influence, not just bribery.

at risk of being compromised

Focuses on the potential damage caused by being compromised through bribery or other means.

negotiable

This is a more subtle, and often sarcastic, implication that someone's principles are flexible for the right price.

FAQs

How do I use "could be bribed" in a sentence?

The phrase "could be bribed" suggests a possibility or suspicion of corruption. For example, "The investigation revealed that several officials "could be bribed" to overlook the violations." It implies a potential vulnerability rather than a confirmed fact.

What can I say instead of "could be bribed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "susceptible to bribery", "open to corruption", or "vulnerable to inducement", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "could be bribed" or "can be bribed"?

"Could be bribed" implies a possibility or conditional scenario, while "can be bribed" suggests a general ability or inherent susceptibility. "Could" is often used to express uncertainty or a hypothetical situation, while "can" indicates a potential action that is generally possible. In most contexts related to corruption, "could" is more appropriate because it introduces a degree of speculation.

What's the difference between "could be bribed" and "were bribed"?

"Could be bribed" suggests a possibility or suspicion, whereas "were bribed" indicates a confirmed act of bribery. The former implies an investigation or speculation, while the latter denotes a proven fact.