Entice Someone To Do vs. Entice Someone Into Doing
Cambridge documents both entice + person + to-infinitive and entice + person + into + -ing for persuading someone by offering something attractive. Do not reduce the contrast to gerund versus infinitive alone; the preposition into is part of the -ing construction.
Both are standard: use “entice someone to do…” or “entice someone into doing…,” while preserving the required object and the different complement structure.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| the persuaded person is followed by an infinitive | entice + person + to + verb | Standard documented construction. |
| the persuaded person is followed by an -ing action | entice + person + into + -ing | Standard documented construction; “into” is part of the pattern. |
| the object is omitted even though the actor matters | name the person or group | Keep the required participant explicit in these documented patterns. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
After “entice,” are you using the -ing version?
If yes: Use “entice + person + into + -ing.”
If no: For the infinitive version, use “entice + person + to + verb.”
Caveat: Do not reduce the contrast to gerund versus infinitive alone: the preposition “into” is structural in the -ing construction.
Examples
The discount enticed her to try the service.
The object “her” is followed by a to-infinitive.
The discount enticed her into trying the service.
The -ing form is introduced by “into.”
Bright photos enticed visitors to explore the exhibit.
The documented object + to-infinitive pattern is complete.
Further guidance
Boundary
Do not reduce the contrast to gerund versus infinitive alone; the preposition into is part of the -ing construction.
Construction
Cambridge documents both entice + person + to-infinitive and entice + person + into + -ing for persuading someone by offering something attractive.
Decision
Both are standard: use “entice someone to do…” or “entice someone into doing…,” while preserving the required object and the different complement structure.
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.
- entice — Cambridge English Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Entice + person + to-infinitive and entice + person + into + -ing constructions