Talk Someone Into, or Out Of, Doing Something

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Talk Someone Into, or Out Of, Doing Something

By the end: I can describe persuasion while keeping the people and their intended actions clear.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Choose a short recording.

Into an action

Talk someone into + -ing describes persuading that person towards an action or decision.

Maya talked Leo into joining the team.

Leo was talked into joining the team.

The two colleagues encourage the curly-haired woman to apply, pointing to a blank application folder and pen. She changes from hesitant to willing, looking toward the pen. Do not show an acceptance letter, award or successful application outcome.
They talked me into applying.Into + -ing describes the action encouraged.

Out of an action

Talk someone out of + -ing describes persuading that person not to take the proposed action.

I talked Eva out of cancelling the trip.

Eva decided not to cancel it.

Keep the roles

The object of talked is the person whose action is discussed. Persuade someone to/not to is another useful pattern; ask someone to does not establish agreement.

She persuaded me to stay.

She asked me to stay, but I refused.

A passive changes the subject, not the people’s roles

ActiveMaya talked Leo into joining the team.

Maya persuades; Leo is the person joining.

PassiveLeo was talked into joining the team by Maya.

Leo is now the grammatical subject, but Maya remains the persuader.

Joining is still Leo’s action. Neither version says Leo won a place, performed successfully or became the persuader. Keep the person affected by persuasion separate from any later outcome.
The same colleagues discuss reasons not to apply. The curly-haired woman sets the pen aside and listens thoughtfully while closing the application folder. Show persuasion away from the action, not rejection by an employer.
They talked me out of applying.Out of + -ing describes the action discouraged.

Guided practice

Say or write your answer first. Compare form and meaning with the model.

1. Complete: She talked me into ___ (try) again.

Compare a model and explanation

trying

Into is followed by an -ing form here.

2. Complete: We talked him out of ___ (leave).

Compare a model and explanation

leaving

Out of introduces the action avoided.

3. Rewrite: I persuaded her not to complain. Use talked.

Compare a model and explanation

I talked her out of complaining.

The persuasion is directed away from complaining.

4. Rewrite: They talked me into helping. Use persuaded.

Compare a model and explanation

They persuaded me to help.

Persuaded takes object + to-infinitive in this pattern.

5. Make passive: Jo talked Ari into staying.

Compare a model and explanation

Ari was talked into staying by Jo.

Ari remains the person staying.

6. Who applies in Lia talked Max into applying?

Compare a model and explanation

Max.

The object Max supplies the actor of applying.

7. Correct: She talked me to joining.

Compare a model and explanation

She talked me into joining.

Do not blend talked into with persuaded to.

8. Repair the summary: I asked her to join; she declined. Summary: I talked her into joining.

Compare a model and explanation

I asked her to join, but she declined.

The original explicitly rules out successful persuasion.

A short conversation

Listen first, then open the transcript when useful.

Open the conversation transcript

A: Did you cancel the workshop?

B: No. Rosa talked me out of cancelling it.

A: And did she agree to lead it?

B: I asked her, but she hasn’t decided yet.

Listening checks

Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have a separate score.

1. What is established?
Read the listening transcript

I talked Dan into entering the contest. The judging is next week.

2. Did the persuasion succeed?
Read the listening transcript

I tried to talk Nina out of leaving, but she left anyway.

3. Who was persuaded to help?
Read the listening transcript

Ella was talked into helping by Finn.

Mastery quiz

Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.

1. Complete: They talked us into ___ a different route.
2. Choose the avoided action pattern.
3. Who stays in I persuaded Jo to stay?
4. Choose the matching passive for Mira talked Ben into trying.
5. She asked me to help. Does this alone establish agreement?
6. Complete: She persuaded him ___ leave.
7. I tried to talk him into coming, but he refused. What happened?
8. Being persuaded to enter establishes which outcome?

Use it in your own words

Speaking 1

Describe successful persuasion towards an action and away from another.

Reveal a possible response

I talked my friend into joining the walk. She talked me out of carrying a heavy bag.

Success check: Keep the actor clear in both patterns.

Speaking 2

Contrast a request with a persuasion outcome.

Reveal a possible response

I asked Jo to help, but she refused. Later, Lee talked her into helping.

Success check: Do not make the first request sound successful.

Put it all together

Explain a decision involving two people. Name an outcome that remains unknown.

Reveal a possible response

I talked Mina into applying for the workshop. She talked me out of applying because the dates clash with my course. We don’t know whether she will get a place.

Success check: Separate persuasion, the decision and a later result.

Take it with you

I can describe persuasion while keeping the people and their intended actions clear.

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