entail

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "entail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that must be done in order to obtain a certain goal or outcome. For example: "The process of becoming a doctor entails four years of medical school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clearly, he hadn't bargained on the fact that "paying forward" for the stunt would entail losing his wife, his cat, his last remaining money, and any hope of shopping at the mall again for 12 months after Bloomington police ordered him not to return to the scene for a year.

The Guardian - Opinion

For the Labour party that has to entail our founding ideal of tackling inequality and building a just society.

The Guardian

And voters will be spared a Hobson's choice, with the option of coming out of Europe with the loss of investment and jobs that would entail, or staying in but with key rights such as paid holidays, gender equality and protection for agency workers stripped away.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was calling to see if I'd be interested in becoming the first Chinua Achebe fellow - a teaching residency which would entail living at Bard College, where he himself is based, for one year.

The Guardian - Books

This may entail round-the-clock facilities in areas of minority concentration, and greater reliance on non-invasive techniques that might address cultural concerns about the prevalence and practice of postmortem.

The Guardian

Week 1: Introduction and warm up - Monday 14 September An introductory session on what the course will entail, its aims and objectives, a breakdown of its core components, and both tutor and student expectations.

The Guardian

But an EU-wide scheme is toxic for many national governments since it would entail a system of quotas and distributing refugees and people seeking asylum more equitably between EU member states.

The Guardian

That would entail first severing the umbilical cord or using an intrusive, painful injection to first kill the fetus – added procedures that carry increased medical risks to the woman.

The Guardian

No one expects to be told they have cancer at 20; and my treatment would entail chemotherapy in France, where I'm from, which was incompatible with going to university and being with my girlfriend in the UK.

The Guardian

You already know what the worst of it will entail.

The Guardian

Lord (Gus) O'Donnell, the former cabinet secretary, told the Observer ministers need to be clearer with the public about what life outside the EU would entail, and whether the UK would seek a relationship similar to that of Norway, which is a member of the single market but has no say in its rules.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entail" when you want to clearly state that a particular action, event, or situation is a necessary part of achieving a specific outcome. Ensure the connection is direct and unavoidable.

Common error

Avoid using "entail" when simpler words like "involve" or "require" are more appropriate. "Entail" often implies a more significant or complex consequence, so use it judiciously to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "entail" primarily functions as a verb. It indicates that something is a necessary part or consequence of something else, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used to establish a direct connection between an action or event and its inevitable result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "entail" is a versatile verb used to express that something is a necessary part or consequence of something else. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and the examples show its prevalence in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "involve" or "require" exist, "entail" suggests a more direct and unavoidable connection. It's crucial to use "entail" judiciously, reserving it for situations where a more significant or complex consequence is implied, as overusing it in simple contexts can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

involve

Focuses on the inclusion of something as a necessary part.

require

Emphasizes necessity or obligation.

necessitate

Highlights the inevitability of something due to a particular situation.

call for

Suggests a need or demand for something.

lead to

Indicates a consequence or result.

give rise to

Highlights the origination of something as a result.

result in

Focuses on the outcome or effect of something.

imply

Suggests something without explicitly stating it.

presuppose

Indicates something assumed beforehand.

comprise

Indicates what something is made up of.

FAQs

How can I use "entail" in a sentence?

Use "entail" to indicate that something is a necessary part or consequence of something else. For example, "Becoming a doctor will "entail" years of study and dedication."

What are some alternatives to "entail"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "involve", "require", or "necessitate" instead of "entail".

Is there a difference between "entail" and "imply"?

"Entail" means to involve something as a necessary part or consequence, while "imply" means to suggest something indirectly. "Entail" is more direct and forceful.

When is it appropriate to use "entail" versus "require"?

"Entail" suggests that something is a natural or logical consequence, whereas "require" implies a necessity or obligation imposed by an external rule or condition. For example, a job might "entail" travel, but "require" a security clearance.