be unconvinced that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be unconvinced that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about a particular statement or belief. Example: "Despite the evidence presented, I remain unconvinced that the theory holds true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

BSkyB's non-executive directors were reported to be unconvinced that Murdoch can cope with the job when he is caught up in the phone hacking affair, and that they would watch his performance today ahead of discussions later this week.

Independent

The pundits will be unconvinced that it is necessary to ban all freshmen in that sport or all sports because of those few players.

Forbes

Those who would argue that indirect evidence is no indicator of gravitational waves might still be unconvinced that binary pulsars emit them; LIGO and Virgo didn't see the gravitational waves that came from the binary pulsars we've observed.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One of his friends is unconvinced: "That feels fake.

The Guardian - Business

Most voters were unconvinced that this was the real crux.

The New York Times

More generally, Mr. Winston is unconvinced that competition has failed.

The New York Times

I am unconvinced that universal banking was a major cause of the crisis.

Columbia University

Most mainstream investors are unconvinced that sustainability leadership translates into profits and marketplace success.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If you're unconvinced that there's something insidious going on here, think of alcohol.

Independent

But polls show that people are unconvinced that Labour can deliver a better NHS.

The Economist

Unfortunately, I'm unconvinced that Lord Hall is the person to win them over.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be unconvinced that" to express a reasoned lack of belief, especially after considering evidence or arguments. It indicates a thoughtful skepticism rather than outright dismissal.

Common error

Avoid using "be unconvinced that" when you have absolute certainty or concrete evidence to the contrary. It's best suited for situations where doubt remains despite available information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be unconvinced that" functions as a predicate adjective followed by a that-clause. It expresses a state of doubt or lack of persuasion regarding the content of the clause. According to Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically sound construction used to express skepticism.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be unconvinced that" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying a lack of belief or persuasion. While it's relatively rare, as shown by Ludwig, it is found in reliable sources such as news media and academic publications. It expresses a thoughtful skepticism, indicating that one has considered the available information but remains doubtful. Alternatives like "doubt that" or "not convinced that" can be used to express similar meanings, depending on the context and desired nuance. Use this phrase to express your reasoned lack of belief, especially after considering evidence or arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doubt that

Expresses uncertainty or disbelief about something.

not convinced that

Indicates a lack of persuasion or belief in something.

remain skeptical that

Highlights a continuing state of doubt even after considering information.

question whether

Suggests a questioning attitude towards the truth or validity of something.

have reservations about

Implies holding back full agreement due to certain concerns.

not persuaded that

Indicates a failure to be convinced by presented arguments or evidence.

find it hard to believe that

Expresses difficulty in accepting something as true.

take with a grain of salt

Suggests not accepting something at face value and being cautious.

view with suspicion

Implies a distrustful outlook towards something.

not buy the idea that

Indicates a rejection of a particular concept or notion.

FAQs

How can I use "be unconvinced that" in a sentence?

You can use "be unconvinced that" to express your doubt or skepticism about something. For example, "Despite the evidence presented, I "remain unconvinced that" the theory holds true."

What are some alternatives to "be unconvinced that"?

Alternatives include "doubt that", "not convinced that", or "remain skeptical that", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "be unconvinced that" or "not be convinced that"?

"Be unconvinced that" and "not be convinced that" are similar in formality. "Be unconvinced that" might be perceived as slightly more formal due to its less common usage, but both are appropriate for professional contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "be unconvinced that" instead of simply saying "disagree"?

Use "be unconvinced that" when you want to convey that you've considered the information but haven't found it persuasive. "Disagree" is a more direct expression of opposition, while "be unconvinced that" suggests a more nuanced, thoughtful skepticism.