Trap Someone Into Doing vs. Trap Someone To Do
Oxford directly documents “trap somebody into something/into doing something” for tricking someone into an action. The cited entry directly supports into + -ing; it does not establish trap + object + to-infinitive as an equivalent complement for this sense.
Use “trap someone into doing” for the directly documented tricking construction; do not infer equal support for “trap someone to do.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Intended construction | Pattern | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| trick someone so they carry out an action | trap + person + into + -ing | Use the directly documented construction. |
| replace it automatically with object + to-infinitive | trap + person + to do | Do not infer equal support for this complement pattern. |
| other literal or figurative senses of “trap” | use the grammar for that sense | Keep this guide scoped to the tricking/coercive complement. |
Quick tests
Tricking-complement test
Do you mean tricking someone into carrying out an action?
If yes: Use “trap someone into doing.”
If no: Use the construction supported for the other sense you intend.
Caveat: The reviewed evidence directly supports “into + -ing” for this sense; it does not establish object + to-infinitive as an equivalent pattern.
Examples
The caller trapped him into revealing his account details.
“Into + -ing” introduces the action produced by the trick.
They trapped the witness into admitting the mistake.
The documented pattern is “trap + person + into + -ing.”
The misleading offer trapped customers into paying an extra fee.
The -ing clause names the action the people were tricked into taking.
Further guidance
Boundary
The cited entry directly supports into + -ing; it does not establish trap + object + to-infinitive as an equivalent complement for this sense.
Construction
Oxford directly documents “trap somebody into something/into doing something” for tricking someone into an action.
Decision
Use “trap someone into doing” for the directly documented tricking construction; do not infer equal support for “trap 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.
- trap verb — Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries · Oxford learner-dictionary evidence directly documenting trap + object + into + -ing