to entice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to entice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of attracting or tempting someone to do something, often through appealing offers or promises. Example: "The advertisement was designed to entice customers into trying the new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Even rich whites are hard to entice.

The Economist

Matyasova used props to entice them.

The New Yorker

The ads, however, did little to entice.

The New Yorker

That danger seems to entice him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Will $4 be enough to entice trappers?

The New York Times - Science

(The new shares can be used to entice them).

The New York Times

Stores have tried to entice shoppers by offering deep discounts.

The New York Times

Restaurants even offered freebies to entice people to vote.

The New York Times

This lure is used to entice prey fish.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Italy has much to entice the intrepid oenophile.

The New York Times

But UConn has done little to entice suitors this season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "To entice" implies a deliberate effort to attract someone or something, often with a reward or benefit. Ensure this aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "to entice" when the context simply involves providing information or guidance without an element of deliberate attraction. If there's no intent to tempt or lure, a more neutral verb like "to inform" or "to guide" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to entice" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the intention behind an action. It describes the reason or goal for doing something, which is to attract or tempt someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

19%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to entice" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive of purpose, indicating the intent to attract or tempt. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news media, scientific publications, and general reference materials. While synonyms like "to lure" or "to tempt" exist, choosing "to entice" specifically emphasizes a deliberate effort to attract through an appealing offer. When using the phrase, consider the level of manipulation it implies and ensure it aligns with the context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to lure

This alternative focuses on the act of tempting someone, often with a suggestion of deception.

to tempt

This alternative implies presenting an attractive offer that is difficult to resist.

to attract

This alternative suggests drawing someone's interest or attention without necessarily implying a reward or benefit.

to persuade

This option focuses on convincing someone through reasoning or argument.

to motivate

This alternative highlights inspiring someone to take action.

to incentivize

This phrase suggests providing a specific reward or benefit to encourage a particular behavior.

to draw in

This alternative means to attract or involve someone or something.

to court

This option suggests actively seeking someone's favor or support.

to woo

This implies a more passionate or romantic attempt to attract someone.

to stimulate interest

This alternative refers to sparking someone's curiosity or enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "to entice" in a sentence?

The phrase "to entice" is typically followed by the entity being enticed and then by what they are being enticed with. For example: "The company used discounts "to entice" new customers."

What are some synonyms for "to entice"?

Alternatives to "to entice" include "to lure", "to tempt", "to attract", or "to persuade". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "entice to" or "entice into"?

While "to entice" is generally used as part of an infinitive phrase, "entice into" is a common construction when referring to luring someone into a specific action or situation. For example: "They were enticed into investing in the fraudulent scheme."

What's the difference between "to entice" and "to persuade"?

"To entice" implies attracting someone with something appealing, while "to persuade" involves convincing someone through reasoning or argument. Enticement focuses on desire, while persuasion focuses on logic.