have not been fooled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have not been fooled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you are aware of the truth and have not been deceived by someone or something. Example: "Despite the elaborate scheme, I have not been fooled by their tactics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Boston's hitters have not been fooled.

The New York Times - Sports

The Iranian people have not been fooled.

The New York Times

Those who know firsthand just how deadly this facility may prove to be have not been fooled.

The New York Times

Stephanie Greene Chapel Hill, N.C., April 18 , 2008• To the Editor: Many people have not been fooled by the great speaking style of Barack Obama.

The New York Times

Cities like Irvine, Laguna Hills and Huntington Beach have not been fooled and have implemented plans to make supplemental contributions to CalPERS to address the problem of underfunded pensions.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The stock and credit markets haven't been fooled.

The New York Times

She felt sure now that it had been a baby — that she had not been fooled.

The New Yorker

But Nettie has not been fooled as to the subject of their talks together.

The New Yorker

By assigning coverage randomly, Oregon gave researchers more confidence that they had teased out the true effects of insurance, and had not been fooled by other differences between the insured and the uninsured.

The New York Times - Health

So, no - I had not been fooling around with it.

Huffington Post

I hadn't been fooled by its 'Chinese-ness' because it contained nothing that I recognised as being inherently Chinese or Asian".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have not been fooled" to express that you recognize the true nature of a situation or someone's intentions, despite attempts to deceive.

Common error

Avoid using "have not been fooled" when you mean to say someone is not a fool. The phrase describes a state of awareness, not an inherent characteristic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have not been fooled" functions as a declarative statement, expressing a state of awareness or understanding. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is usable in written English. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in contexts where someone is attempting to deceive or mislead.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have not been fooled" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys a sense of awareness and non-deception. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to use it accurately, avoiding confusion with noun usages of 'fool'. This phrase, while not overly common, finds its primary context in news and media, as well as some formal business settings. Alternative phrases like "have not been deceived" or "have seen through" can offer slight variations in emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure it reflects a genuine understanding of a situation, rejecting any attempts at deceit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have not been deceived

Replaces "fooled" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of being misled.

were not misled

A more general term for avoiding deception, without specifying the method.

have not been tricked

Suggests a clever or cunning deception was attempted, but failed.

have seen through

Implies understanding the true nature of something, despite attempts at concealment.

were not taken in

Indicates a resistance to being persuaded or convinced by something false.

were not duped

Synonymous with "tricked", but can also imply a degree of naivety on the part of those who might have been fooled.

remained unconvinced

Highlights a state of skepticism and a refusal to accept something as true.

were wise to

Emphasizes the intelligence and discernment of those who avoided being fooled.

understood the truth

Focuses on the comprehension of the real situation, rather than the act of avoiding deception.

were aware of the deception

Highlights the knowledge of an ongoing deception without necessarily escaping it.

FAQs

What does "have not been fooled" mean?

The phrase "have not been fooled" means that someone recognizes the truth of a situation and hasn't been deceived or tricked, despite potential attempts at deception.

How can I use "have not been fooled" in a sentence?

You can use "have not been fooled" to indicate that you understand the true nature of something or someone's intentions, for example: "Despite the elaborate disguise, I "have not been fooled" by their tactics."

What are some alternatives to "have not been fooled"?

Alternatives include "have not been deceived", "have not been tricked", or "have seen through" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has not been fooled"?

Yes, "has not been fooled" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "have not been fooled" is used for plural subjects or with "I/you/we/they".