clear conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong and unambiguous belief or opinion about something. Example: "She spoke with clear conviction about the importance of environmental conservation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"It should have been a clear conviction," McCormick-Dunlap said.

The Guardian

Still, Sankaram brought clear conviction to her dual role as creator and performer.

The New Yorker

I set my hand on the drum and then I felt, pulling through me like a nerve, a clear conviction.

The New Yorker

Our enemies understand this: their greatest strength is their clear conviction that this war is political and psychological.

The New York Times

King's staggering achievement is testament to what can be achieved by a man — or woman — possessed of clear conviction and rightly positioned on the side of justice and freedom.

The New York Times

Speaker after speaker voiced a clear conviction that the American people, in the view of Senator Mitch McConnell, are fed up with "a government that's too busy imposing its view of the world on people who don't share that view".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

President Bush praised Rehnquist's "clear convictions" but said nothing about what they were.

The New Yorker

But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions and... a servant's heart.

The Guardian

Earlier, Mr. Santorum had told the crowd that while he did not have a perfect record, he had clear convictions and had modeled himself on Ronald Reagan.

The New York Times

Anyway, "Live Today" can feel like the triangulation of all these data points: it's an album of clear convictions but hazy definitions, which is partly the point.

The New York Times - Arts

On June 26th a hitherto little-noticed Tory MP defected to Labour, accusing Mr Cameron of "superficiality, unreliability and an apparent lack of any clear convictions".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear conviction" to convey a strong, unambiguous belief, especially when emphasizing the certainty behind an action or decision. For example: "She argued her case with a "clear conviction", leaving no doubt about her stance."

Common error

Avoid using "clear conviction" when describing purely subjective preferences or opinions. It is more appropriate for situations where there is a strong element of factual basis or reasoned argument, rather than personal taste. For example, instead of saying "He had a "clear conviction" that vanilla ice cream was the best", opt for "He strongly preferred vanilla ice cream."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear conviction" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It modifies another noun or acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting a state of having a strong, unambiguous belief. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "clear conviction" adds weight and authority to statements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear conviction" is a phrase used to express a strong and unambiguous belief or opinion. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, especially in news and media, and formal business settings. According to Ludwig, the phrase carries a neutral register and aims to convey certainty and firmness. While versatile, it's important to avoid overusing it in purely subjective contexts. Alternatives like "strong belief" or "firm opinion" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolute conviction

Emphasizes the determination behind the belief.

strong belief

Focuses on the intensity of the belief rather than its clarity.

firm opinion

Emphasizes resoluteness in one's view.

undoubted belief

Focuses on the lack of doubt surrounding the belief.

unwavering faith

Highlights the steadfastness of one's belief.

certain opinion

Stresses the sureness of one's view.

definite certainty

Underscores the absence of doubt.

plain certainty

Highlights the straightforward nature of the certainty.

assuredness

Highlights confidence in one's belief.

categorical assurance

Emphasizes the unconditional nature of the assurance.

FAQs

How can I use "clear conviction" in a sentence?

You can use "clear conviction" to describe a strong and unambiguous belief. For example: "The lawyer presented his arguments with "clear conviction", swaying the jury."

What are some alternatives to saying "clear conviction"?

Alternatives include "strong belief", "firm opinion", or "unwavering faith", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "clear conviction" or "strong conviction"?

Both "clear conviction" and "strong conviction" are valid. "Clear conviction" emphasizes the lack of ambiguity in the belief, while "strong conviction" focuses on the intensity of the belief.

What's the difference between "clear conviction" and "clear understanding"?

"Clear conviction" refers to a firm belief or opinion, while "clear understanding" refers to a comprehensive and accurate grasp of a subject or situation. They address different aspects of knowledge and belief.