Bribe Someone Into Doing vs. Bribe Someone To Do
Cambridge directly documents bribe + object + to-infinitive for inducing an action by giving or offering money, gifts, or another desired benefit. Bribe can also take an object alone or a with-phrase naming the inducement, so the to-infinitive pattern is not the only possible syntax for the verb.
Use “bribe someone to do something” for the directly documented complement pattern; do not imply that “bribe someone into doing” is equally established by this source.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| offer an inducement so a person performs an action | bribe + person + to-infinitive | use the directly documented complement |
| proposed into + -ing alternative | bribe + person + into + -ing | do not present it as equally established by this source |
Quick tests
Complement test
Are you naming the action the person was bribed to perform?
If yes: Use “bribe someone to do something.”
If no: If you are naming the inducement instead, use another documented bribe construction.
Caveat: This guide addresses syntax only, not legal definitions of bribery.
Examples
They tried to bribe the guard to open the gate.
The to-infinitive names the induced action.
The witness was bribed to change his story.
The passive keeps the documented to-infinitive.
They bribed the guard with cash.
A with-phrase can name the inducement without an action complement.
Further guidance
Boundary
Bribe can also take an object alone or a with-phrase naming the inducement, so the to-infinitive pattern is not the only possible syntax for the verb.
Construction
Cambridge directly documents bribe + object + to-infinitive for inducing an action by giving or offering money, gifts, or another desired benefit.
Decision
Use “bribe someone to do something” for the directly documented complement pattern; do not imply that “bribe someone into doing” is equally established by this source.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- bribe — Cambridge English Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Bribe + object + to-infinitive construction