I won over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I won over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone has successfully gained the favor or support of another person or group. Example: "After several meetings, I finally won over the board members with my proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I won over a thousand dollars — like, thirty to fifty grand today".

The New Yorker

- Angela, Detroit I won over $6,000 playing online poker while on it.

Vice

I won over the crowd by screaming the entire time and refusing to take off my leather jacket.

Vice

Some boys picked on me, but I won over most of them with my rude poems.

The Guardian

And I won over $1,000 in under two minutes playing slots.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"An SUV I really warm towards," I wrote, "friendly, fun – I'm won over".

Independent

And, I must admit, I was won over by the experience.

Independent

I'm quite sure I've won over 80percentt of the time.

The New York Times - Tech

While I do now feel capable of finding some satisfying bottles, as well as one mind-blowing cava, I can't say I was won over completely.

The New York Times - Food

He told the club website: "When I met the manager I was won over by his ambitions for next season.

BBC

I was won over by Wright even before I saw his wonderful room at Tate Britain.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I won over" when you want to emphasize the effort or strategy involved in gaining someone's favor or agreement. It implies a process of convincing or influencing.

Common error

Avoid using "I won over" when you actually mean "I overcame". "I won over" refers to gaining someone's favor, while "I overcame" refers to conquering a challenge or obstacle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I won over" functions as a verb phrase, where "won over" is a phrasal verb. It typically expresses the action of successfully gaining someone's support, approval, or affection through persuasion or charm. According to Ludwig, this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I won over" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing the act of successfully gaining someone's support or favor. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not exceptionally common, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. When using "I won over", be mindful of its nuance, which emphasizes persuasion and influence, and avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "I overcame". For more formal situations, consider alternatives such as "I gained the support of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I gained the support of

Directly indicates the achievement of securing someone's backing.

I convinced

Focuses on persuading someone through reasoning.

I persuaded

Emphasizes the act of influencing someone's decision.

I swayed

Highlights the act of changing someone's opinion or feeling.

I secured the approval of

Emphasizes obtaining formal agreement or permission.

I influenced

Implies a more subtle and gradual effect on someone's views.

I brought around

Implies a change in someone's opinion or position to align with your own.

I captivated

Suggests charming or attracting someone to gain their favor.

I charmed

Highlights the use of charm or flattery to win someone over.

I earned the respect of

Focuses on gaining respect as a means of winning someone over.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I won over" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "I secured the support of", "I obtained the approval of", or "I persuaded", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "I convinced" and "I won over"?

"I convinced" implies persuading someone through logical argument, while "I won over" suggests a broader effort to gain someone's favor or agreement, which might involve emotional appeals or relationship building.

Is "I won over" appropriate for professional communication?

Yes, "I won over" is generally acceptable in professional communication, especially when describing efforts to gain support for a project or proposal. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "I gained the support of" in highly formal contexts.

Can "I won over" be used in a negative context?

While less common, "I won over" can be used ironically or sarcastically in negative contexts. For example, "I thought I had won him over, but he betrayed me later" implies a disappointment after initially believing you had gained someone's favor.