Lure Someone Into Doing vs. Lure Someone To Do
Cambridge directly documents lure + object + into + noun/-ing for persuading someone toward an action by offering something attractive. Cambridge separately documents lure + object + to + place/thing for destination or attraction, so a following “to” does not by itself establish a to-infinitive construction.
Use “lure someone into doing something” when you name the resulting action; do not assume that “lure someone to do” is the same directly documented complement pattern.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| entice someone so that they take a named action | lure someone into + -ing | Use the documented resulting-action pattern. |
| “lure someone to do” as an interchangeable complement | not assumed equivalent | Prefer the documented pattern unless another sourced construction is intended. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you expressing the action someone is enticed into taking?
If yes: Use “lure someone into + -ing.”
If no: Use another construction only when its own meaning is supported.
Caveat: This page distinguishes the directly documented complement pattern; it does not claim every possible “lure + to” sequence is impossible in all senses.
Examples
The discount lured customers into trying the new service.
“Into + -ing” names the resulting action.
The message lured him into clicking the link.
The construction presents the action induced by the lure.
They were lured into paying an unnecessary fee.
The passive keeps the same complement pattern.
Further guidance
Boundary
Cambridge separately documents lure + object + to + place/thing for destination or attraction, so a following “to” does not by itself establish a to-infinitive construction.
Construction
Cambridge directly documents lure + object + into + noun/-ing for persuading someone toward an action by offering something attractive.
Decision
Use “lure someone into doing something” when you name the resulting action; do not assume that “lure someone to do” is the same directly documented complement pattern.
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.
- lure someone into something/doing something — Cambridge English Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Lure + object + into + noun/-ing construction