entail
C1formal
Definition
Meaning
To involve something as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence.
In legal/property context, to limit the inheritance of property to a specific line of heirs, preventing its sale or division.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in passive constructions ('be entailed') to emphasize that something is a necessary component or result. Has a specialized, historical legal meaning distinct from its general use.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The legal property sense is now largely historical/archaic but still recognized. No significant usage difference in the modern causative sense.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/academic in both varieties. In UK, the legal sense might be more familiar due to historical property law (entailment of estates).
Frequency
Low frequency in casual conversation; higher in academic, business, and technical writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP entail NPNP entail V-ingNP entail that-clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to discuss necessary costs, risks, or procedural steps in a project. 'The merger will entail significant restructuring.'
Academic
Common in logical, philosophical, or causal analysis. 'The theory entails certain observable consequences.'
Everyday
Rare in casual speech. Might be used for significant life changes. 'Promotion entails moving to London.'
Technical
Used in logic (if P entails Q), computing (process entailment), and law (property entail).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new regulations will entail additional paperwork for all traders.
- Does accepting the honour entail attending monthly dinners?
- The estate was entailed to the eldest male heir.
American English
- The software upgrade entails a brief system shutdown.
- Such a decision would entail significant legal risk.
- The property was entailed, preventing its sale.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective form. 'Entailed' is a verb participle.]
American English
- [No standard adjective form. 'Entailed' is a verb participle.]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too complex for A2. Use 'mean' or 'need' instead.]
- The job entails working on weekends sometimes.
- Repairing the roof will entail a high cost.
- Implementing the new policy entails consulting all department heads.
- Success in this market entails understanding local customs.
- The peace treaty entailed the withdrawal of troops from the contested zone.
- His argument entailed a radical rethinking of economic principles.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ENTAIL = ENsure it's part of the TAIL-end result. If something is ENTAILed, it's hooked onto the end as a necessary outcome.
Conceptual Metaphor
CAUSATION IS A CHAIN (one link inevitably pulls the next); NECESSITY IS A BURDEN (something that must be carried along).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "включать" (include) в нейтральном контексте. "Entail" сильнее — "неизбежно влечь за собой".
- Не путать с "влечь" в смысле привлекать (attract). "Entail" — о последствиях, а не о желании.
- В юридическом контексте исторический термин "майорат" или "заповедное имение".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'entail' with a personal subject incorrectly (e.g., 'He entailed to go' is wrong). It typically has an action, situation, or decision as subject.
- Confusing 'entail' (necessary consequence) with 'detail' (list specifics).
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'involve' or 'mean' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'entail' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a C1-level, formal word. In everyday conversation, people more often use 'involve', 'mean', or 'need'.
Rarely and awkwardly. The subject is usually a plan, action, decision, or situation (e.g., 'The job entails...', 'This will entail...').
'Entail' is stronger and more precise, meaning 'make necessary' or 'have as a logical consequence'. 'Involve' is broader and more general, meaning 'include' or 'be connected with'.
It refers to a rule limiting the inheritance of property to a specific line of descendants, making it inalienable. This is now largely historical but is the origin of the modern word's sense of 'imposing something necessary'.
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