all but convinced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but convinced" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that someone is nearly or almost convinced of something, but not entirely. Example: "After hearing all the evidence, I am all but convinced that he is guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In a conversation Wednesday, Hill said he was all but convinced that New York was where he wanted to be.

The New York Times

His debut had a documentary sense of realism that all but convinced the public they were reading a work of non-fiction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, so reluctant was I to change gears that I all but convinced myself that, having not written fiction in some years, I had forgotten how.

The New Yorker

The second is "What's Opera, Doc?," from 1957, which runs the familiar hunter-chases-wabbit plot through a Wagnerian blender to create a singular lampoon that all but convinced a generation of animators to surrender their pens.

The New York Times

But Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, told lawmakers last month that he is all but convinced that the household survey has been wrong and the payroll survey has been right.

The New York Times

That face has all but convinced Donald J. Thornhill Jr., a United States Drug Enforcement Administration agent who fought the gang for years while in Mexico and is now based in San Diego.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But convincing all those neighborhood flower stores and shoe shops to go online won't be easy.

Forbes

By Lyon Mearson The New Yorker, September 14 , 1935P. 29 A group of men on a jury are all, but one, convinced that the defendant is not guilty and want to let the poor fellow know his fate.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, September 14 , 1935P. 29 A group of men on a jury are all, but one, convinced that the defendant is not guilty and want to let the poor fellow know his fate.

The New Yorker

But convince them he must.

The Economist

Mosness admits he was a little wary of what he was getting involved in when he saw all the blood, but he convinced Coll to sit back down and wait for an ambulance which took her to Poudre Valley Hospital.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but convinced" when you want to express a strong belief or near certainty without claiming absolute certainty. This is useful when acknowledging a slight possibility of error or change.

Common error

Avoid using "all but convinced" when you need to convey absolute certainty. Instead, use phrases like "absolutely certain" or "unquestionably convinced" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but convinced" functions as a qualifier or intensifier, modifying a statement to express a high degree of certainty or belief, without asserting absolute certainty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates near conviction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all but convinced" is a useful qualifier to express a strong belief or near certainty without committing to absolute certainty. Ludwig AI analysis validates the grammatical correctness and typical usage of this expression. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and is suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, use "all but convinced" when you want to express high confidence while acknowledging a slight possibility of error or change and avoid it when needing to convey absolute certainty. Alternatives include "virtually certain" and "practically certain".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually certain

Indicates a very high degree of probability, close to absolute certainty; emphasizes the lack of significant doubt.

practically certain

Suggests a certainty based on practical considerations and available evidence, rather than absolute proof.

almost certain

Directly conveys that the conviction is just shy of complete certainty, highlighting the small remaining doubt.

nearly convinced

Mirrors the original phrase but may suggest a slightly weaker level of conviction.

as good as certain

An idiomatic expression implying a high likelihood of something occurring or being true.

pretty sure

A more informal alternative indicating a strong belief but with a casual tone.

largely persuaded

Emphasizes the act of being influenced to believe, rather than the state of conviction itself.

close to certain

Highlights the proximity to a state of complete certainty, useful when emphasizing the small margin of doubt.

well-nigh certain

An archaic alternative that conveys a very high degree of certainty.

essentially certain

Focuses on the fundamental aspects that lead to a strong belief, suggesting the remaining doubts are inconsequential.

FAQs

How do I use "all but convinced" in a sentence?

Use "all but convinced" to indicate a state of almost complete certainty or belief about something. For example, "After reviewing the data, I am "all but convinced" that the theory is correct."

What are some alternatives to "all but convinced"?

You can use phrases like "virtually certain", "practically certain", or "almost certain" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "all but convinced" in formal writing?

Yes, "all but convinced" is suitable for formal writing. While it's not as strong as "absolutely certain", it conveys a high degree of confidence and is appropriate when you want to acknowledge a slight possibility of error or change.

What's the difference between "all but convinced" and "completely convinced"?

"All but convinced" implies a very high level of certainty, close to complete conviction, but not absolute. "Completely convinced" suggests there is no doubt remaining. Use "all but convinced" when you want to acknowledge a small possibility of being wrong.