have been lured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been lured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been attracted or enticed into a particular action or situation, often with a negative connotation. Example: "Many individuals have been lured into scams by promises of easy money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You'll have been lured here by the diving, no doubt.

Independent

Users have been lured by new online services like video and Weibo, China's Twitter-like service.

The New York Times

Financial-service firms have been lured by low costs and slow staff turnover.

The Economist

And investors with considerably smaller fortunes have been lured by the golf links.

The New York Times

Clay-court specialists, who once shunned Wimbledon, have been lured back.

The New York Times - Sports

Countless young men have been lured to their deaths by the promise of a sexy uniform.

The New Yorker

Sam got into the heroin business the way many others have been lured into criminal activities.

The New York Times

All professed to have been lured to work for love rather than their usual salaries.

The New York Times

They have been lured by rocketing prices after the Shanghai stock exchange doubled in a year.

The Guardian - Business

In some cases, the chefs have been lured away from Manhattan bistros.

The New York Times

Many have been lured from consumer products companies and consulting, advertising and accounting firms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been lured" to suggest a potential negative outcome or a risk associated with the attraction. It's stronger than "attracted" but less forceful than "deceived".

Common error

Avoid using "have been lured" when simply describing attraction without any implication of danger or deception. Opt for a more neutral term like "attracted" or "drawn" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been lured" functions as a present perfect passive construction. It indicates that individuals or entities have been attracted or enticed into something, often implying a potential negative consequence or deceptive element. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been lured" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. According to Ludwig AI, its function is to describe situations where individuals or entities are attracted to something, often with an implication of potential danger or deception. It predominantly appears in News & Media sources, suggesting its role in informing and cautioning audiences. While "have been lured" is generally neutral in register, it is advisable to use it carefully, avoiding overuse in contexts where a simple attraction without negative connotations is intended. Consider alternatives like "have been attracted" or "have been drawn" for more neutral scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been enticed

Replaces "lured" with a more neutral term, implying attraction rather than potential danger.

have been tempted

Suggests a strong desire or appeal leading someone to do something.

have been drawn

Implies a more subtle or magnetic pull, rather than direct enticement.

have been seduced

Conveys a stronger sense of persuasion, often with sensual or deceptive undertones.

have been baited

Highlights the use of a specific inducement to attract someone into a trap.

have been inveigled

Indicates persuasion through flattery or deception.

have been snared

Emphasizes the idea of being trapped or caught unexpectedly.

have been hooked

Suggests an addiction or dependency that leads someone to continue engaging in an activity.

have been coaxed

Implies gentle persuasion or encouragement to do something.

have been beguiled

Focuses on the deceptive nature of the attraction, suggesting charm or trickery.

FAQs

How can I use "have been lured" in a sentence?

"Have been lured" is typically used to describe situations where someone is attracted or enticed into something, often with a negative connotation. For example: "Many investors "have been lured" into scams by promises of easy money."

What can I say instead of "have been lured"?

You can use alternatives like "have been enticed", "have been tempted", or "have been drawn" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have been lured" or "were lured"?

Both ""have been lured"" and "were lured" are grammatically correct, but they convey different tenses. "Have been lured" implies a present perfect passive construction, suggesting an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance. "Were lured" is a simple past passive construction, describing a completed action in the past.

What's the difference between "have been lured" and "have been attracted"?

While both phrases suggest being drawn to something, ""have been lured"" often implies a deceptive or risky element, whereas "have been attracted" is generally more neutral and suggests a genuine appeal.