English UsageComparison guide

Coax Someone Into Doing vs. Coax Someone To Do

Cambridge directly documents both coax + object + into + -ing and coax + object + to-infinitive for gently persuading or encouraging someone to act. The verb can also take an object without either complement and can be used for gently moving or obtaining something; those uses do not erase the documented construction difference.

Reviewed2026-09-26Evidence1 sourceSectionEnglish Usage

Quick answer

Both are standard: “coax someone into doing something” and “coax someone to do something” are documented complement patterns.

Key details

Confusion Familygrammar-and-usage distinction

Rule Familyverb-complement and object pattern

TermsCoax Someone Into Doing, Coax Someone To Do

Choose the right form

Decision table for Coax Someone Into Doing vs. Coax Someone To Do
Meaning / situation	Form / construction	Decision
gently persuade/encourage someone to act	coax + object + into + -ing	Standard documented pattern.
gently persuade/encourage someone to act	coax + object + to-infinitive	Also a standard documented pattern.

Quick tests

Complement-choice test

Are you expressing that someone was gently persuaded or encouraged to take an action?

If yes: Either documented pattern can work; choose the one that fits the sentence naturally.

If no: If “coax” takes an object in another sense, analyze that use separately.

Examples

Example

They coaxed her into trying the new route.

The into + -ing pattern is directly documented.

Example

They coaxed her to try the new route.

The object + to-infinitive pattern is also directly documented.

Example

Do not create a false correctness split between the two complements.

The reviewed dictionary supports both patterns.

Further guidance

Boundary

The verb can also take an object without either complement and can be used for gently moving or obtaining something; those uses do not erase the documented construction difference.

Construction

Cambridge directly documents both coax + object + into + -ing and coax + object + to-infinitive for gently persuading or encouraging someone to act.

Decision

Both are standard: “coax someone into doing something” and “coax someone to do something” are documented complement patterns.

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.

coax — Cambridge English Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Coax + object + into + -ing and coax + object + to-infinitive constructions

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Oxford directly documents “argue somebody into doing something” for persuading somebody by giving reasons. The cited construction evidence directly supports into + -ing; it does not license “argue someone to do” as an equivalent complement pattern.

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When ask means request an action from a person, Cambridge documents ask + person + to-infinitive. Bare “ask doing” is not the ordinary request complement for that meaning.

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Cambridge directly illustrates bamboozle + object + into + -ing for deceiving someone so that the person takes an action. The cited entry does not establish bamboozle + object + to-infinitive as an equally documented alternative, so this guide does not manufacture a two-way rule.

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Beguile Someone Into Doing vs. Beguile Someone To Do

Cambridge gives direct evidence for beguile someone into doing something in the literary persuade/attract/deceive sense. The cited entry supports the into + -ing construction; it does not establish beguile + object + to-infinitive as an equivalent pattern for this meaning.

Explore the topic

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