induce
/ɪnˈdjuːs/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈduːs/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈdüs -ˈdyüs/ (ame, mw)
induce — verb
- inducepresent simple I / you / we / they
- induceshe / she / it
- inducedpast simple
- inducing-ing form
1. to talk someone into doing something, especially by offering reasons or rewards
to talk someone into doing something, especially by offering reasons or rewards that they find attractive enough to agree.
Nothing could induce Layla to change her mind about moving to Japan.
induce + someone + to-infinitive (negative form with 'nothing')
The promise of a bonus induced the staff to work through the weekend.
induce + someone + to-infinitive (positive incentive)
Padma tried to induce her son to eat vegetables by making the food more colourful.
A lower price might induce more customers to register for the annual plan.
- discourage
to try to stop someone from doing something
- dissuade
more formal than discourage; to persuade someone not to act
文法句型
induce + [someone] + to + [verb]
用法筆記
This sense follows a strict pattern: induce + person + to-infinitive. It is moderately formal — in everyday conversation, 'talk into' or 'persuade' sound more natural.
常見錯誤
2. to make a particular event, condition, or effect happen, typically as a result o
to make a particular event, condition, or effect happen, typically as a result of some action or influence.
The drug can induce a feeling of deep calm within a few minutes.
induce + [abstract state]
Stress at work often induces headaches and poor sleep in young professionals.
The sudden drop in temperature induced the lake to freeze over.
Christopher's long speech induced a strong sense of boredom among the audience.
文法句型
induce + [event/condition/response]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense does not require a to-infinitive — the object is a result or state. Frequently used in medical, chemical, and psychological contexts.
常見錯誤
3. to give a pregnant woman medication so that her labour begins, or to start the p
to give a pregnant woman medication so that her labour begins, or to start the process of childbirth by medical means.
The hospital team decided to induce labour when the baby was two weeks overdue.
induce labour (collocation)
Nikos's wife was induced at thirty-eight weeks because of a health concern.
passive: be induced (of a pregnant woman)
Doctors usually induce labour only when there is a clear medical reason to do so.
Valentina was admitted to the hospital on Monday morning and induced that afternoon.
- bring on labour
less formal, everyday alternative to 'induce labour'
文法句型
induce labour | induce + [a pregnant woman]
用法筆記
The passive form is very common: 'she was induced.' The object can be either 'labour' (induce labour) or the woman herself (induce the mother). Exact protocols vary by country.
4. to create an electric current or voltage in a conductor without direct contact,
to create an electric current or voltage in a conductor without direct contact, for instance by moving a magnetic field nearby.
A moving magnet can induce an electric current in a nearby coil of wire.
induce + current + in + [conductor]
The changing magnetic field induces a voltage across the terminals of the transformer.
Faraday discovered that a changing magnetic field can induce a current in a nearby conductor.
The turbine spins a magnet inside a coil to induce a steady flow of electricity.
文法句型
induce + [current / voltage] + in + [conductor]
用法筆記
Almost always used in scientific or technical writing. The passive is typical: 'a current is induced.' Learners of general English may safely recognise this meaning without active production.
5. to arrive at a general rule or principle by examining specific cases or examples
to arrive at a general rule or principle by examining specific cases or examples, especially in logic or mathematics.
From several precise observations, scientists induce a general principle that fits all cases.
induce + [principle] + from + [observations]
Philosophers distinguish between deducing a conclusion and inducing one from examples.
Inducing a rule from examples is a key skill in mathematical reasoning.
- infer
broader and more commonly used in everyday English; to reach a conclusion from evidence
- generalise
focuses on the process of extending specific findings to wider situations
- deduce
to reason from a general rule to a specific case; the opposite logical direction
文法句型
induce + [rule / principle] + from + [examples]
用法筆記
The contrast with 'deduce' is essential: deduce moves from general to specific, while induce moves from specific to general. This sense is almost entirely confined to academic philosophy and mathematics.