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To talk someone into / out of doing something ...
TO TALK SOMEONE INTO/OUT OF DOING SOMETHING
Here's a very idiomatic expression which isn't spontaneously used by foreigners ...
I do my best to teach it as it is, but for months now, I've had the opportunity to hear 'new forms' of it ( to threaten into, to blackmail into, and ... to kiss into) ... and I did even hear one yesterday ! = a sign !
Besides, and this happens more and more often, I can hear this same expression on the radio, on TV, in fictions, (both British and American) using more original and precise forms of the structure ... Therefore, I went hunting for these new forms in grammars and dictionaries ... but couldn't find any of the answers I was expecting. Consequently, I turned to several Forums on famous sites where I am a member and used to writing. Both British and American Natives answered, confirmed the usage and advised me 'to be 'brave' ' and not to hesitate to use these forms although they may not be in the dictionaries yet ... but are heard and wouldn't make them wince ... Therefore, I'll be 'brave, but not reckless' , just to be sure I remain within the limits of what is said, or could be said, and therefore, reliable ...
'My Mom talked me into inviting Paula to come to my party.'
If we're trying to persuade the subject to do the action, this expression is built as follows: Subject + verb someone into + doing something
ex : ' She talked herself into making the dive' (Here, the person who convinces and that who is convincing is the same !)
ex : 'The policeman bludgeoned the protester into submission' (or 'into submitting' to the police) :Sujet + verbe someone into + nom
*** If we persuade the subject not to do some precise thing, the sentence becomes : Sujet + verbe someone out of doing
ex : I talked him out of resisting ; Her husband talked her out of making this risky dive.
Here, INTO DOING indicates the action that the person is persuaded to do (to submit to the police). The main VERB following the subject of the sentence indicates the WAY used to reach this aim. (to bludgeon = to hit with a club)
Similarly, OUT OF DOING indicates the action that the person is persuaded not to do (resisting - making a risky dive). The main VERB insists on the WAY used to reach this goal. (to talk).
I can't help being filled with wonder in front of a language that gives so much freedom and allows so much creativity ... as long as grammar and fast-evolving usage are respected, of course !
In the following exercise, all the sentences have been approved of by Anglo-Saxons .
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