be persuaded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be persuaded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of convincing someone to accept a particular idea or belief. Example: "It took a long discussion, but I finally managed to get him to be persuaded by my argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Independents could be persuaded.

The New York Times

Policymakers might still be persuaded.

The Economist

I could be persuaded back.

Independent

But customers had to be persuaded.

The New York Times - Arts

He hesitated, but let himself be persuaded.

The New Yorker

Ms. Rogers herself had to be persuaded.

The New York Times - Arts

Parliament still has to be persuaded.

The Economist

They're waiting to be persuaded.

The New York Times - Magazine

I can be persuaded also.

The Washington Post

"Countries need to be persuaded.

The New York Times

The country won't be persuaded.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be persuaded", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the persuading and what the subject is being persuaded to do. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "persuade" actively when the intended meaning is passive. For example, instead of saying "He persuaded to go", use "He was persuaded to go". The passive voice construction with "be" clarifies that the subject received the action of persuasion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be persuaded" functions as a passive construction, where the subject receives the action of persuasion. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes the state of being convinced or influenced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be persuaded" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to describe the state of being convinced or influenced. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts but is suitable for a range of registers. To use it effectively, ensure the context clearly indicates the persuader and the subject being persuaded, while avoiding active voice misapplications. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be convinced

This alternative emphasizes a complete change in belief after being presented with evidence.

be swayed

This alternative highlights the emotional aspect of being influenced.

be won over

This alternative implies a victory in changing someone's opinion.

be influenced

This is a broader term encompassing any form of impact on one's opinion or actions.

be induced

Implies being led or prompted to a particular action or belief.

be moved

This alternative focuses on the emotional aspect of being influenced, often by empathy or compassion.

be brought around

Suggests a gradual change of mind after initial resistance.

be talked into

Highlights the verbal aspect of convincing someone, sometimes with a negative connotation.

be led to believe

Indicates that someone has been guided towards a specific belief, potentially by deception.

succumb to persuasion

Emphasizes the act of yielding to persuasive arguments, often implying a loss of resistance.

FAQs

How can I use "be persuaded" in a sentence?

You can use "be persuaded" to describe someone who is convinced to believe or do something, as in "After hearing the evidence, the jury could "be persuaded" of his guilt".

What's a synonym for "be persuaded"?

A close synonym is "be convinced", which also means to come to a belief or understanding through reasoning or evidence.

Is it better to use "be persuaded" or "become persuaded"?

"Be persuaded" is generally more concise and direct. "Become persuaded" implies a process of gradual change, which might be suitable if you want to emphasize the duration of the persuasion.

What's the difference between "be persuaded" and "try to persuade"?

"Be persuaded" indicates a completed action where someone has been successfully convinced. "Try to persuade" suggests an attempt to convince, without necessarily achieving the desired outcome.