was duped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was duped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone was deceived or tricked. Example: "He thought he was making a wise investment, but he later realized he was duped by a scam artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not everyone was duped.

The New York Times - Books

I was duped.

The New York Times - Magazine

The public was duped.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I was duped," he said.

The New York Times

Looks like I was duped".

The Guardian

Even Winston Churchill was duped, she recalls.

The New Yorker

M&T Bank says it was duped.

The New York Times

"The company was duped," Ms. Jenkins said.

The New York Times

"I feel like I was duped by Mitt Romney".

The New York Times

"Do I feel like I was duped?" he said.

The New York Times

Perhaps the bank was duped — as it now claims.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was duped" to clearly indicate that someone was deceived, especially when emphasizing the victim's perspective. For instance, "The investor was duped by a fraudulent scheme" highlights the investor's experience.

Common error

Avoid using "duped" as an active verb when it should be passive. Instead of saying "The scammer duped the victim", use "The victim was duped by the scammer" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was duped" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being tricked or deceived. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and common occurrence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was duped" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that indicates someone has been tricked or deceived. As Ludwig AI explains, its neutral register and common occurrence in news and media make it a versatile choice for expressing victimization or a loss of trust. When writing, ensure you're using the passive form correctly to clearly convey the subject's experience. Consider alternatives like "was deceived" or "was tricked" for slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was deceived

A more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of being misled.

was tricked

A simpler, more direct synonym implying a cunning act of deception.

was misled

Suggests being led astray or given incorrect information.

was conned

Implies a swindle or fraud, often for financial gain.

was swindled

Focuses on financial deception, indicating a loss of money or assets.

was taken in

Suggests being fooled or charmed into believing something false.

was fooled

A general term for being tricked or deceived.

fell for it

An informal expression indicating that someone believed a trick or lie.

was hoodwinked

Implies a clever and subtle form of deception.

was bamboozled

A more playful and informal way of saying someone was tricked or confused.

FAQs

How can I use "was duped" in a sentence?

You can use "was duped" to indicate that someone was tricked or deceived. For example, "The customer "was duped" by the salesperson's false promises."

What's a more formal way to say "was duped"?

A more formal alternative to "was duped" is "was deceived". This implies a deliberate act of misleading someone.

Which is correct, "was duped" or "duped"?

"Was duped" is the correct passive form, indicating that someone received the action of being tricked. "Duped" alone is the past tense of the active verb, as in "The scammer duped the victim."

What's the difference between "was misled" and "was duped"?

"Was misled" suggests being given incorrect information, while "was duped" implies a more deliberate act of trickery or deception. Being duped is usually more intentional than being misled.