tempted him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tempted him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is enticed or lured into doing something, often something that may be considered wrong or undesirable. Example: "She tempted him with the promise of adventure and excitement, making it hard for him to resist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fine art never tempted him.

The New York Times

He said that God had tempted him.

The Guardian

Strauss and Swann tempted him deliciously and he succumbed.

The Guardian - Sport

Is that also what tempted him to make the film?

The Guardian - Film

Talk of a referendum on opening EU talks briefly tempted him.

The Economist

It was the nature, including its resident flock of vultures, that had tempted him.

The Guardian

His neighbors Nick Faldo and Jim Courier called and tempted him with afternoon golf outings.

The New York Times - Sports

And the club that tempted him from Broadhall Way could hardly be more established.

The Guardian - Sport

But his urge to make change while the iron was hot, coupled with an entrepreneurial streak, tempted him beyond the confines of campus in various ways.

University of California, Berkeley

He remained an obstinate idealist, however, whose faith in humanity's promise often tempted him into a sentimental proletarianism.

The Guardian

If you make a move, it's your own fault if he hurts you, because you tempted him too much.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tempted him", consider the connotations. It often implies a choice between right and wrong, or a desirable but potentially risky course of action.

Common error

Avoid using "tempted him" when a more neutral term like "encouraged him" or "motivated him" would be more appropriate. Temptation usually involves a moral or ethical dimension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tempted him" functions as a verb phrase, where 'tempted' is the verb in the past tense and 'him' is the object pronoun. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tempted him" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of enticing or alluring someone. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While often implying a negative or risky action, it can also refer to positive opportunities. When using "tempted him", it is important to consider the connotations and whether a more neutral term might be more appropriate. Remember also, to consider the morality of the character, if the character is a villain the choice of words can have different meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enticed him

Replaces "tempted" with a synonym, focusing on attraction and allurement.

lured him

Similar to "enticed", but can imply a more deceptive or dangerous attraction.

beckoned him

Implies a silent or subtle invitation that is hard to ignore.

seduced him

Suggests a stronger, often irresistible, attraction, sometimes with romantic or persuasive undertones.

persuaded him

Focuses on convincing someone through reasoning or argument, rather than pure attraction.

drew him in

Emphasizes the gradual and irresistible pull of something or someone.

induced him

Implies causing someone to do something, often through influence or persuasion.

motivated him

Suggests an internal drive or external incentive, but can also mean a more general encouragement.

appealed to him

Highlights the attractive qualities of something that drew someone in.

attracted him

A general term for finding something appealing or interesting.

FAQs

What does "tempted him" mean?

The phrase "tempted him" means to entice or attract someone to do something, often something they might not otherwise do or something that could be considered wrong or risky.

What can I say instead of "tempted him"?

You can use alternatives like "enticed him", "lured him", or "persuaded him" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to say someone was "tempted him"?

While "tempted him" often implies a negative or risky action, it can also describe a situation where someone is drawn to something positive, such as a new opportunity or experience.

How to use "tempted him" in a sentence?

Example: "The promise of a higher salary "tempted him" to accept the job offer, even though it meant moving to a new city."