it was enticing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was enticing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is attractive or appealing, often in a way that draws someone in or piques their interest. Example: "The aroma of the freshly baked bread was so enticing that I couldn't resist buying a loaf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But then National Geographic called, and it was enticing for a number of reasons.

The New York Times

It was enticing to be able to carve out a reputation for myself.

The Guardian - Sport

He said while it was enticing to swim in areas off the Queensland coast, it could also be quite dangerous.

The Guardian

And it was enticing homeowners by offering down payment assistance, but not disclosing that it then raised the price of the house by the same amount.

The New York Times

But exactly because the citrus-scented valley between Kfar Saba and Qalqilya was off limits to us, it was enticing to me one Saturday afternoon that fall.

The New York Times

While it was enticing that the liquid cultures produced a lower percentage of fats than the solid media cultures, since fats complicate the purification process (Figure 3c and d), the overall paucity of metabolites negated this benefit.

AMB Express

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"When you keep costs low, it's enticing to people who want to be involved in the movies," he said.

The New York Times

Of course, precision is not easy with the hickories, but the quest for it is enticing, said Brian Schuman of Long Island, who began the Metropolitan Hickory Society in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region.

The New York Times - Sports

Another author, Jan Ivar Korsbakken, also at Cicero, said: "It is enticing to jump on the latest Chinese statistics and report any good news.

The Guardian

It's enticing to write music on a computer in the conventional way, on a staff, then (a) to have the computer play it back to you, and (b) to be able to save it-in a sense file it.

The New Yorker

While it's enticing to see the origins of Ms. Monson's movement, the most astonishing part about Ms. Vachal's installation is realizing the years that went into the project.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation or offer, use "it was enticing" to convey a sense of allure that made something difficult to resist. For example, "The job offer was enticing, but the location was not ideal."

Common error

Avoid using "enticing" to describe something with purely negative connotations. While something bad can be tempting due to an immediate reward, "enticing" generally implies something positive drawing you in. For example, instead of "The trap was enticing," consider "The trap was cleverly disguised" or "The lure was tempting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was enticing" functions as a descriptive expression. It conveys that something had qualities that were appealing, attractive, or tempting. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was enticing" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to express that something was attractive or appealing. As per Ludwig AI, this phrase follows standard grammar rules and its usage is confirmed across various sources. Its primary function is descriptive, conveying a sense of allure or temptation. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral or slightly formal contexts and should be avoided when describing purely negative situations. Alternatives include "it seemed attractive" or "it felt tempting", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seemed attractive

Emphasizes the appearance of being appealing, focusing on initial perception.

it felt tempting

Highlights the internal feeling of being drawn to something, implying a struggle with resistance.

it appeared alluring

Suggests a mysterious or captivating quality, more strongly emphasizing attractiveness.

it proved seductive

Implies a powerful and persuasive attraction, often with a negative connotation.

it had charm

Focuses on the pleasant and attractive qualities of something, emphasizing its ability to please.

it held appeal

Stresses the quality of being attractive or interesting, suggesting a broad range of potential admirers.

it looked inviting

Emphasizes the welcoming and appealing visual aspect of something, making one want to approach or experience it.

it sounded promising

Suggests a positive outlook or potential benefit, making it seem worthwhile to pursue.

it presented a draw

Highlights the quality of attracting interest or attention, suggesting a magnetic pull.

it offered incentive

Focuses on the reason or motivation for doing something, implying a tangible reward or benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "it was enticing" in a sentence?

Use "it was enticing" to describe something that was attractive, appealing, or tempting. For example, "The smell of freshly baked bread "was enticing", drawing me into the bakery."

What's the difference between "it was enticing" and "it was tempting"?

While both suggest attraction, "it was enticing" implies a charming or alluring quality, whereas "it was tempting" suggests a desire to do something, often something one shouldn't. Something enticing draws you in generally through positive attributes, a temptation is a desire to do something, often something negative.

What can I say instead of "it was enticing"?

You can use alternatives like "it seemed attractive", "it felt tempting", or "it appeared alluring" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "it was enticing"?

The phrase itself is grammatically sound, but misusing it in negative contexts would be incorrect. "Enticing" typically implies a positive draw, while "tempting" could have either a positive or negative connotation.