could not be tempted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not be tempted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone was not influenced or swayed by an offer or temptation. Example: "Despite the lavish offers from the competitors, she could not be tempted to leave her current position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But he could not be tempted.

The Economist

Internazionale attempted to hijack the deal yesterday, but the player could not be tempted to San Siro.

The Guardian - Sport

The credentials he ran on included the argument that he was so rich that he could not be tempted by corruption.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One year I decided to freeze my credit cards in a block of ice so I couldn't be tempted by impulse shopping.

Huffington Post

Then we'd get our girlfriends round, destroy all of our phones so we couldn't be tempted by pleading calls from friends/relatives (potential carriers) begging to be let into our safe zone.

Vice

Standingfor the best of VinE, delivered theyour inbox daily.

Vice

Even so, who could be not be tempted by the idea of a sub-$40,000 Ferrari-killing sedan?

The New York Times

How could you not be tempted?

Los Angeles Times

So when the MacBook Air was introduced just a few months later, how could I not be tempted by the "world's thinnest notebook"?

Huffington Post

But Blair would not be tempted.

The Guardian

Do not be tempted to starve yourself.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could not be tempted" to highlight a strong resistance to something alluring or potentially compromising. It suggests a moral or principled stance against the temptation.

Common error

Avoid using "could not be tempted" when simply describing a lack of opportunity. The phrase implies a conscious decision to resist, not just an absence of temptation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not be tempted" functions as a predicate, indicating a state of resistance or unwillingness to succumb to an allurement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. For example, it describes someone's strong will, implying they were presented with an attractive opportunity but consciously rejected it.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could not be tempted" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe someone's resistance to an alluring or potentially compromising offer. According to Ludwig AI, it's used correctly in written English, mainly within News & Media contexts. While not overly common, it effectively conveys strength of character or commitment to a principle. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "remained unswayed" or "stood firm against" for similar effect. When using this phrase, ensure the context involves a conscious decision to resist temptation, rather than simply a lack of opportunity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained unswayed

Emphasizes a steadfast resistance to influence or persuasion; highlights a lack of yielding.

resisted the allure

Focuses on resisting a tempting or attractive offer; emphasizes the attractiveness of what was resisted.

stood firm against

Highlights a strong and unwavering opposition to something; emphasizes resolve and determination.

refused to yield

Implies a stubborn refusal to give in to pressure or temptation; emphasizes a lack of compromise.

was impervious to

Suggests an inability to be affected or influenced by something; emphasizes a complete lack of susceptibility.

rejected the offer

Directly states the refusal of a proposal or invitation; emphasizes the act of declining.

was immune to

Similar to "impervious", suggesting a natural resistance or protection against something.

held out against

Implies a sustained effort to resist something over a period of time; emphasizes endurance.

declined the invitation

Formally turns down an offer or suggestion; emphasizes politeness or protocol.

turned down the proposition

Rejects a specific suggestion or proposal; emphasizes the act of refusal and the potentially controversial nature of what was rejected.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "could not be tempted" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "remained unswayed", "stood firm against", or "refused to yield". These alternatives emphasize resolve and resistance to influence.

What does it mean when someone "could not be tempted"?

It means the person was not influenced or persuaded by an offer, opportunity, or alluring prospect. It suggests they resisted something that might have been attractive or beneficial to others.

Is it correct to say "was not able to be tempted" instead of "could not be tempted"?

While grammatically understandable, "could not be tempted" is more concise and idiomatic. "Was not able to be tempted" sounds slightly awkward and less natural in most contexts.

How does "could not be tempted" differ from "was not interested"?

"Could not be tempted" implies a deliberate resistance to something attractive or alluring. "Was not interested" simply means the person had no desire for it, without necessarily implying any temptation to resist.