Phrasal verb
enter into
Definition
phrasal verb. to officially start a formal agreement, a discussion, or a new period of time.
phrasal verb. to formally begin or commit to a process, agreement, or relationship; often used in legal, political, or academic contexts.
Examples
“The two countries decided to enter into a trade agreement.”
“Before you enter into a contract, you should always have a lawyer look at the details.”
“The government refused to enter into negotiations until all hostages were released and a ceasefire was established.”
Examples
simple
“The two countries decided to enter into a trade agreement.”
contextual
“Before you enter into a contract, you should always have a lawyer look at the details.”
complex
“The government refused to enter into negotiations until all hostages were released and a ceasefire was established.”
Usage
usually followed by an abstract noun like 'agreement', 'contract', 'discussion', or 'details'.
Teaching tip
contrast with the plain verb 'enter' (physical movement); 'enter into' is for abstract commitments and is much more formal.
Pitfall
He entered into the room.
He entered the room.
use 'enter' without 'into' for physical locations; 'enter into' is for abstract things like agreements.
Confusables
Enter takes a physical location as a direct object, while enter into requires a preposition to discuss abstract commitments or formal processes.
RememberEnter a room; enter into a deal.
Phrasal verb
Particles
into
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
enter + into + object