to be lied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be lied" is not correct in English.
The correct form would be "to be lied to." Example: "It is frustrating to be lied to by someone you trust."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"The cat doesn't like to be lied to either".

The New York Times

This time, she said, "I don't like to be lied to.

The New Yorker

He falls for royal flattery and fatuously allows himself to be lied to.

The Washington Post

Our only right in this regard should be not to be lied about.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whether you are a lenient parent or a tyrant, it is insulting to be lied to.

The New Yorker

And if you do not wish to be lied to, do not ask questions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

They were accustomed to being lied to, to having promises broken.

The New York Times

Peruvians are used to being lied to and they have lived with the often disastrous consequences.

BBC

I'm used to being lied to and don't take it personal.

Huffington Post

First, I would not be lied to.

The New York Times

Frogs, fortunately for them, cannot be lied to.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to use "to be lied", consider using the correct phrase, "to be lied to". It adds the necessary preposition for grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

The phrase "to be lied" is grammatically incomplete. Always include the preposition "to" after "lied" to convey the meaning of being the recipient of a lie. For example, instead of "I don't want to be lied", write "I don't want to be lied to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be lied" functions as an incomplete passive infinitive construction. It's missing the preposition "to," which is essential to correctly express the idea of being the recipient of a lie. As Ludwig indicates, the correct form is "to be lied to."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be lied" is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig, the correct phrasing is "to be lied to". The addition of the preposition "to" is essential for grammatical accuracy. While the phrase is understandable in context, using the correct form is crucial for clear and effective communication. When writing, remember to always include "to" after “lied” when you mean “to be the receiver of a lie”. Alternative expressions, such as "to be deceived" or "to be misled", can also be used. Though "to be lied" appears with some frequency, especially in News & Media, this does not make it standard usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be deceived

Emphasizes the act of being misled or tricked, focusing on the result of the lie.

to be misled

Highlights the act of being guided in the wrong direction through false information.

to be told a lie

Directly states the action of receiving a falsehood.

to have been lied to

Indicates a past experience of being deceived, with a focus on the completed action.

to be the victim of a lie

Presents the person as someone negatively impacted by a falsehood.

to be given false information

Focuses on the provision of incorrect data, whether intentional or unintentional.

to be hoodwinked

Suggests a more blatant and possibly comical form of deception.

to be bamboozled

Implies a state of confusion resulting from deception.

to be duped

Highlights the foolishness of the person being deceived.

to be conned

Suggests a deliberate scheme to deceive for personal gain.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say you don't want to experience deception?

The accurate phrase is "to be lied to", as in, "I don't want "to be lied to"". The preposition "to" is essential for correct grammar.

Is it grammatically correct to say "to be lied"?

No, it's not grammatically correct. The passive voice requires the preposition "to" after "lied" when expressing that someone is the recipient of a lie. The proper phrasing is "to be lied to".

What are some alternatives to "to be lied to" that convey a similar meaning?

You can use phrases like "to be deceived", "to be misled", or "to be given false information" depending on the specific context.

How does "to be lied to" differ from "to lie"?

"To lie" is an active verb describing the act of telling a falsehood. "To be lied to" is a passive construction indicating that someone is the recipient of a lie. For example, "He likes "to lie"" versus "He doesn't like "to be lied to"".