Cozen Someone Into Doing vs. Cozen Someone To Do
Cambridge directly documents cozen someone into something/doing something for old-fashioned/literary deception or trickery. Cambridge labels the construction old-fashioned. The cited entry directly supports the into + -ing construction; it does not establish cozen + object + to-infinitive as an equivalent pattern for this meaning.
Use “cozen someone into doing something” for the directly documented pattern; do not infer equal support for “cozen someone to do.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| old-fashioned/literary deception results in an action | cozen someone into doing something | Use the documented into + -ing pattern. |
| deception results in a noun/state | cozen someone into + noun | Use the documented “into” construction. |
| you are considering cozen + object + to-infinitive as equivalent | do not infer equivalence | The reviewed entry does not establish that complement for this meaning. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you using the old-fashioned/literary verb for tricking someone into an action?
If yes: Use “cozen someone into doing …”.
If no: Choose a more ordinary verb or another supported construction if that is not the intended register.
Caveat: Cambridge labels this use old-fashioned. Keep that register boundary visible rather than presenting “cozen” as a neutral everyday verb.
Examples
The swindler cozened him into signing the form.
The action follows the documented into + -ing pattern.
She was cozened into an unfavorable bargain.
The “into” phrase expresses the result of the deception.
The story describes a merchant cozened into paying twice.
The literary verb keeps the reviewed complement pattern.
Further guidance
Boundary
The cited entry directly supports the into + -ing construction; it does not establish cozen + object + to-infinitive as an equivalent pattern for this meaning.
Construction
Cambridge directly documents cozen someone into something/doing something for old-fashioned/literary deception or trickery. Cambridge labels the construction old-fashioned.
Decision
Use “cozen someone into doing something” for the directly documented pattern; do not infer equal support for “cozen someone to do.”
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.
- cozen someone into something — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Dictionary construction cozen someone into something/doing something