lure into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'lure into' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are describing someone being enticed or tempted into a situation or decision. For example, "The candy store used its brightly coloured window display to lure children into the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

New government bond issue in order to lure into state coffers hoarded gold and foreign currency.

The New Yorker

Chris Wormell's brilliant colours are a powerful lure into a story told with a pleasingly delicate humour.

The Guardian - Books

Nor does it share Mr. Mamet's vision of sexual curiosity as a treacherous, irresistible lure into a shadow world.

The New York Times

The idea is to lure into the fold poorer and black-market workers who have long avoided paying insurance.Yet distrust of the system runs deep.

The Economist

The plan was to lure into the store a less wealthy clientele, who would eventually trespass upstairs and buy the expensive stuff.

The New Yorker

But such warm and fuzzy concepts do not play as well with the younger generation of buyers that Saturn wants to lure into showrooms.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Underage Muslim girls are lured into prostitution.

The Economist

Don't be lured into trusting them.

The New York Times

I was not lured into it, provoked into it.

The New York Times

"I felt I was being lured into working for MI5".

Independent

It says that 'vulnerable' groups could be lured into gambling.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lure into" when you want to emphasize the act of attracting someone or something, often with the intention of influencing their behavior or decision. For instance, a business might "lure customers into" a store with discounts.

Common error

Avoid using "lure into" in contexts where the attraction is purely positive and without any manipulative or influential intent. For example, instead of saying "the beautiful scenery lured me into the park", consider using "attracted" or "drew" to avoid any implication of being manipulated.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "lure into" functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the person or thing being lured) and indicating an action performed upon that object. It describes the act of enticing or attracting someone or something into a particular place or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "lure into" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes the act of enticing or attracting someone or something, often with an underlying motive. As Ludwig AI points out, it's generally used in neutral contexts such as news and media, and formal business settings. While it can carry negative connotations of manipulation, this is not always the case. When using "lure into", consider the intent behind the action and choose alternative phrases like "entice into" or "draw into" if a more positive or neutral tone is desired. By understanding the nuances and potential implications, you can effectively use "lure into" to convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entice into

Emphasizes the attractiveness or desirability of what's being offered to draw someone in.

tempt into

Highlights the seductive or alluring nature of the draw, often suggesting a moral dilemma.

seduce into

Implies a more subtle and manipulative form of persuasion, often with romantic or deceptive undertones.

trick into

Focuses on the deception or cunning used to get someone to do something they wouldn't otherwise do.

bait into

Suggests the use of something appealing as a trap to draw someone into a risky or undesirable situation.

draw into

A more neutral alternative that simply suggests attracting someone's interest and involvement.

persuade to enter

Focuses on convincing someone to physically enter a place or situation.

coax into

Implies gentle and persistent persuasion to get someone to do something.

inveigle into

Suggests using flattery or deception to persuade someone to do something against their better judgment.

woo into

Implies a deliberate and charming effort to win someone over to a particular cause or action.

FAQs

How can I use "lure into" in a sentence?

You can use "lure into" to describe someone being enticed or tempted into a situation or decision. For example, "The company used attractive offers to "lure investors into" the project."

What are some alternatives to saying "lure into"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "entice into", "tempt into", or "draw into". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "lure into" and "trick into"?

"Lure into" implies attraction or temptation, while "trick into" suggests deception or deceit. If someone is "lured into" something, it may seem appealing, but if they are "tricked into" it, they are actively deceived.

Is it always negative to "lure" someone?

While "lure into" often carries a negative connotation, implying manipulation or risk, it's not always the case. It can also describe attracting someone through positive means, although alternative phrases like "attract to" or "draw to" are more common in purely positive contexts.