lured him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lured him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is attracted or enticed into a particular action or situation, often with a negative connotation. Example: "The promise of easy money lured him into a risky investment scheme."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Life in Syria lured him back.

The New York Times

And it was Clinton who lured him into doing it.

The New Yorker

We lured him in there and stabbed him to death".

The New York Times

Following Harbaugh's second consecutive P.F.L. title, Stanford lured him from San Diego to resurrect its program.

The New York Times

The prestigious Miss Budweiser team lured him back to the water in 1992, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then PhRMA lured him away from Congress with its $2 million-a-year million-a-year million-a-year

The New York Times - Health

The Bolshoi lured him back in 2003 to choreograph a new work.

The Economist

But an opportunity to open a pastry shop in Santa Fe, N.M., lured him away.

The New York Times - Food

The cardinal lured him back from Rome in 1640 to be France's painter laureate.

The Economist

Mr Danylyshyn ended up here by chance, after Ukrainian investigators lured him from Germany to their Prague embassy for questioning.

The Economist

A lifelong love of the races, which he enjoyed handicapping, lured him to the track as an owner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lured him", be aware of the negative connotation. It often suggests deception or manipulation in attracting someone. Choose the phrase when you want to imply a questionable motive.

Common error

Avoid using "lured him" in contexts where a neutral or positive attraction is intended. Opt for alternatives like "attracted him" or "drew him in" when the motive is not questionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lured him" functions as a verb phrase, where 'lured' is a transitive verb and 'him' is the direct object. It indicates that someone or something enticed or tempted a person to do something, often with a hidden motive or potential danger. The examples provided by Ludwig show various contexts where this phrase is used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lured him" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of enticing or attracting someone, often with a subtle implication of deception or questionable motives. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is frequently found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "attracted him" or "drew him in" exist, "lured him" specifically highlights the potentially manipulative nature of the enticement. Therefore, writers should be mindful of the negative connotations associated with "lured him" and select this phrase judiciously to accurately reflect the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attracted him

Direct synonym, focusing on the appealing aspect that drew someone in.

enticed him

Similar to 'lured', but may imply a more subtle and tempting approach.

tempted him

Highlights the persuasive aspect of the attraction, often implying resistance was overcome.

seduced him

Implies a strong and often irresistible attraction, possibly with manipulative intent.

drew him in

Focuses on the action of pulling someone into a situation or place.

persuaded him

Highlights the convincing arguments or reasons used to influence someone's decision.

motivated him

Emphasizes the internal drive or reason that caused someone to act.

captivated him

Focuses on the charm or fascination that held someone's attention.

tricked him

Highlights the element of deception and cunning in getting someone to do something.

deceived him

Focuses on misleading someone to make them do something against their interests.

FAQs

What does "lured him" mean?

"Lured him" means to entice or attract someone, often with a promise or reward, but it usually implies a negative or deceptive intent. It suggests that the person was drawn into something potentially harmful or undesirable.

What can I say instead of "lured him"?

You can use alternatives like "attracted him", "enticed him", "tempted him", or "drew him in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "lured him" in formal writing?

Yes, "lured him" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing, particularly in news or analytical contexts. However, be mindful of its negative connotation. In business or academic writing, ensure the tone is appropriate for the message.

What's the difference between "lured him" and "attracted him"?

"Lured him" typically suggests a deceptive or manipulative aspect to the attraction, while "attracted him" is more neutral and simply implies that someone was drawn to something without any negative implication.