has been conned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been conned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has been deceived or tricked, often in a financial context. Example: "After investing in that fraudulent scheme, he realized he has been conned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Unfortunately it is a scam, and he has been conned.

The Guardian - Tech

Since then Gwen has made two critically mauled flops and Eddie has been conned inside a New Age loony bin.

The Guardian - Film

One of the first things Mr. Ajamie does when someone who has been conned walks into his office is a Google search of the accused schemer.

The New York Times

Baartman has been conned into pursuing a fortune in Europe, where she is exhibited as the Hottentot Venus, "the virgin Eve risen from the Garden of Creation to the first, primitive level of humanity," as a barker's pitch puts it.

The New York Times - Books

The public has been conned into believing that the Grand National is a great sporting spectacle when, in reality, it is straightforward animal abuse that is on a par with Spanish bullfighting".

The Guardian - Sport

As one editor who has been conned by a fraud (ask me about it sometime), I can testify that there are only so many questions and doubts an editor can raise to a writer before he must either trust and publish, or spike and fire.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They are starting to suspect that they have been conned.

The Economist

"People have been conned by my grandparents," Ms. Koper said.

The New York Times

The evidence suggests that we've been conned.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's obvious now I've been conned out of my money".

Independent

East doubled but found he had been conned; seven hearts was unbeatable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been conned", ensure the context clearly indicates that the subject was deceived or tricked, typically resulting in a loss or disadvantage.

Common error

Avoid using "has been conned" in situations where someone is simply mistaken or disagreed with, rather than intentionally deceived. The term implies a deliberate act of trickery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been conned" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action (being conned). It is typically used to express that someone was tricked or deceived, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been conned" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to indicate that someone has been tricked or deceived, often resulting in financial loss. Ludwig AI shows that it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While synonyms like "was swindled" or "was duped" exist, "has been conned" provides a clear and direct way to communicate the act of deception. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly supports a deliberate act of trickery rather than a simple mistake or disagreement. The assistant confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was swindled

Focuses on the act of being cheated out of money or possessions.

was tricked

A general term for being deceived or fooled.

was deceived

Emphasizes the misleading aspect of the situation.

was duped

Highlights the gullibility of the person being tricked.

was defrauded

Specifically refers to being cheated out of money or assets through illegal means.

fell victim to a scam

Highlights that the person experienced a deceptive scheme.

was taken for a ride

An idiomatic expression for being deceived or exploited.

was bilked

Similar to swindled, but often implies a smaller amount of money.

was bamboozled

Implies confusion and bewilderment resulting from the deception.

was hoodwinked

Suggests being deceived in a clever or cunning way.

FAQs

How can I use "has been conned" in a sentence?

You can use "has been conned" to indicate that someone was tricked or deceived, often financially. For example: "He realized he "has been conned" after the investment failed."

What's the difference between "has been conned" and "has been deceived"?

"Has been deceived" is a broader term meaning someone was misled. "Has been conned" implies a deliberate trick, often for financial gain. For example, someone "has been deceived" by false information, but they "has been conned" out of their savings.

What can I say instead of "has been conned"?

You can use alternatives like "was swindled", "was duped", or "was tricked" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "has been conned" or "was conned"?

Both "has been conned" and "was conned" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different tenses. "Has been conned" is present perfect, implying the conning happened at an unspecified time in the past, while "was conned" is past simple, referring to a specific instance in the past.