induce someone to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "induce someone to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to persuading or leading someone to take a specific action. Example: "The advertisement aimed to induce consumers to buy the new product." Alternative expressions include "persuade someone to" and "encourage someone to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Mr. Jones' office cited a law forbidding the use of a "valuable consideration" to induce someone to vote a certain way.

The New York Times

Under Wisconsin law, it is a crime for anyone to give anything worth $1 or more to induce someone to go to the polls.

The New York Times

"That is, to me, the dumbest way to induce someone to talk," he said of such tools and tactics of law enforcement officials.

The New York Times

You can't induce someone to buy something if they don't feel good about the purchase — if it's just not the right time to buy or they can't get financing for it".

The New York Times

"As a public agency, we felt we shouldn't be putting money on the table that might induce someone to take a risk," said Geoffrey Lomax, senior officer for medical and ethical standards at the institute.

The New York Times - Health

There was a conspiracy to tell a lie (to the Libor phone panel, about a bank's true cost of funding) in order to induce someone to enter into a bargain at a disadvantage to themselves.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"We pay for information," he said, but "we have never, to my knowledge, induced someone to violate the law".

The New York Times

Are you showing appreciation for a job well done or inducing someone to do something he otherwise would not?

The New York Times - Magazine

The only time we'd recommend inducing someone to get coaching involuntarily is when an entire layer of management receives coaching as part of a larger strategic effort.

Harvard Business Review

But what turn of events could possibly have induced someone to eat an oyster?

Forbes

Also, as Rustmann puts it, "It's the hardest sales pitch you'll ever make in your life: inducing someone to willingly betray his country.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "induce someone to", ensure the context implies a deliberate act of persuasion or influence, often with a specific goal in mind. For instance, "The company offered bonuses to induce employees to work overtime."

Common error

Avoid using "induce someone to" when the action is simply a suggestion or invitation. The phrase implies a stronger level of persuasion or motivation, not just a casual proposal. For example, instead of saying "I induced her to join our club", use "I invited her to join our club" if there was no particular effort to persuade her.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "induce someone to" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the reason or motivation behind an action. It signifies an attempt to persuade or influence someone to perform a specific task or adopt a particular behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "induce someone to" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey the act of persuading or influencing someone towards a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts, with a neutral to professional register. When writing, remember that it implies a deliberate effort to influence, distinguishing it from mere suggestions. Consider alternatives like "persuade someone to" or "convince someone to" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persuade someone to

A more direct and common alternative, focusing on convincing someone through reasoning.

convince someone to

Implies successfully changing someone's mind to get them to do something.

encourage someone to

Suggests providing support or motivation for someone to act.

motivate someone to

Focuses on inspiring someone with a reason to take action.

prompt someone to

Highlights initiating or triggering someone's action.

lead someone to

Emphasizes guiding or directing someone towards a particular action.

influence someone to

Indicates having an effect on someone's decision to act.

get someone to

An informal way of saying to cause someone to do something.

prevail upon someone to

A more formal and less common way of persuading someone.

coax someone into

Implies gentle persuasion, often involving flattery or charm.

FAQs

How can I use "induce someone to" in a sentence?

You can use "induce someone to" to describe actions where someone is persuaded or influenced to do something. For example, "The promise of a reward can induce someone to participate in the study."

What are some alternatives to "induce someone to"?

Alternatives include "persuade someone to", "convince someone to", or "encourage someone to", depending on the context and the level of influence involved.

Is it correct to use "induce someone into" instead of "induce someone to"?

While you might occasionally see "induce someone into", the more standard and widely accepted phrasing is "induce someone to". "To" is preferred as it directly connects to the action being influenced.

What is the difference between "induce someone to" and "force someone to"?

"Induce someone to" implies persuasion or motivation, while "force someone to" suggests coercion or lack of choice. For example, offering a bonus is an attempt to "induce someone to" work harder, whereas threatening punishment is an attempt to "force someone to" comply.