Induce: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in formal contexts or medical situations to mean causing something to happen or leading someone to do something by giving them a reason or incentive.

• The doctor decided to induce labor to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
• The advertisement induced people to buy the new product.

Used when talking about convincing someone to do or believe something through reasoning or argument. It often implies some effort and persistence.

• He persuaded his friend to join the gym.
• The lawyer managed to persuade the jury of his client's innocence.

Used in both formal and informal contexts to mean causing someone to take action or to bring about an action quickly or immediately.

• The unexpected question prompted a quick response.
• The news report prompted widespread concern among the public.

Used when referring to the ability to affect someone's feelings, thoughts, or behavior. It can have either neutral or subtle negative connotation depending on the context.

• Her speech had a strong influence on the audience.
• Peer pressure can influence teenagers to make poor decisions.

Used in both formal and informal contexts to mean giving support, confidence, or hope to someone. It implies positive reinforcement.

• Teachers should encourage students to ask questions.
• The coach's pep talk encouraged the team to play their best.

Use 'induce' when you want to talk about causing something to happen, usually intentionally or as a result of an action. It often has a scientific or medical connotation.

• The doctor decided to induce labor to ensure the baby's safety.
• Certain chemicals in the environment can induce changes in animal behavior.

Use 'consequence' when referring to the result or effect of an action or condition. It is often used in discussions about cause and effect, especially when the result is significant or important.

• The consequence of not studying was a failing grade on the test.
• His poor diet had serious health consequences over time.

Use 'deduction' when you are talking about the process of reasoning from general principles to reach a specific conclusion. It is commonly used in logic, mathematics, and detective work.

• Sherlock Holmes made a deduction about the identity of the thief based on the clues.
• Through deduction, we can determine that the sum of the angles in a triangle is always 180 degrees.

Use 'inference' when you are referring to a conclusion reached based on evidence and reasoning rather than explicit statements. It is often used in discussions about data analysis, reading comprehension, and scientific research.

• Based on the data, she made an inference that the experiment was successful.
• You can make an inference about the author's intention by analyzing the text.