Dupe Someone Into Doing vs. Dupe Someone To Do
Cambridge directly documents dupe someone into doing something for deception that causes someone to do something. The cited entry directly supports the into + -ing construction; it does not establish dupe + object + to-infinitive as an equivalent pattern for this meaning.
Use “dupe someone into doing something” for the directly documented pattern; do not infer equal support for “dupe someone to do.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| deception causes someone to perform an action | dupe someone into doing something | Use into + -ing for the directly documented pattern. |
| deception causes someone to accept or enter a situation | dupe someone into + noun / situation | Keep the “into” construction when a noun names the result or situation. |
| object + to-infinitive is proposed as an equivalent complement | do not infer dupe someone to do | The reviewed source does not establish that pattern for this meaning. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you describing deception that causes someone to do an action?
If yes: Use “dupe someone into doing …”.
If no: If “dupe” is used differently, follow the construction supported for that sense rather than assuming object + to-infinitive is interchangeable.
Caveat: The reviewed entry directly supports “dupe someone into doing something” for this causative-deception sense.
Examples
The message duped him into revealing his password.
The action follows the documented into + -ing pattern.
They were duped into paying an unnecessary fee.
The passive form preserves “into” + -ing.
The fake offer duped several people into signing up.
The deception leads to an action expressed with -ing.
Further guidance
Boundary
The cited entry directly supports the into + -ing construction; it does not establish dupe + object + to-infinitive as an equivalent pattern for this meaning.
Construction
Cambridge directly documents dupe someone into doing something for deception that causes someone to do something.
Decision
Use “dupe someone into doing something” for the directly documented pattern; do not infer equal support for “dupe 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.
- dupe someone into doing something — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Dictionary construction dupe someone into doing something