enter into: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, professional, legal
Quick answer
What does “enter into” mean?
To begin or become involved in something (especially an agreement, discussion, or state).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To begin or become involved in something (especially an agreement, discussion, or state).
To start a formal agreement, negotiation, or relationship; to begin to participate in an activity or to consider a particular state (e.g., a contract, partnership, discussion, competition, spirit).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant syntactic or semantic differences. 'Enter into' is used identically in formal contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally formal in both dialects. Slightly more common in legal/business writing than in casual speech.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in formal registers of both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “enter into” in a Sentence
[Subject] + enter into + [Object (Agreement/Contract/State)][Subject] + enter into + [Object] + with + [Counterparty]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enter into” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The UK entered into the agreement with the EU.
- We should not enter into unnecessary details.
- The new regulation will enter into force next month.
American English
- The US entered into a new trade pact.
- They entered into marriage last summer.
- Avoid entering into a conflict you can't win.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common: 'The companies entered into a merger agreement.'
Academic
Used in law, economics, political science: 'The treaty entered into force in 1995.'
Everyday
Rare in casual talk. Might be used for significant events: 'They entered into marriage.'
Technical
Specific in law for contracts and treaties; in computing, can describe beginning a state in a finite-state machine.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enter into”
- Using 'enter into' for physical entry: *'He entered into the building.' (Use 'entered').
- Omitting 'into' when required: *'They entered an agreement.' (Acceptable but less formal).
- Using with inappropriate objects: *'Enter into a job.' (Use 'start a job').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'enter into' is an inseparable phrasal verb. The object always comes after 'into'.
In some formal contexts (like 'enter a contract'), 'enter' alone is acceptable but less common. 'Enter into' is the standard, more explicit collocation for agreements and states.
'Enter into' is formal and implies a deliberate, significant beginning (often contractual). 'Get into' is informal and broader (e.g., get into an argument, get into a hobby).
Yes, the agreement/contract can be the subject in passive voice: e.g., 'The agreement was entered into by both parties.' This is common in legal writing.
To begin or become involved in something (especially an agreement, discussion, or state).
Enter into is usually formal, professional, legal in register.
Enter into: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɛntə ˈɪntə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɛntər ˈɪntuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “enter into the spirit of things”
- “enter into force (of a law/treaty)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine physically ENTERING a formal signing ceremony (INTO a room) to begin a contract.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGREEMENTS ARE CONTAINERS (you 'enter into' them). COMMITMENT IS A JOURNEY (you 'embark on' it).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'enter into' used CORRECTLY?