coaxing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "coaxing" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is defined as the act of persuading or manipulating someone or something gently or gradually, often through flattery or promises. Example: The mother tried coaxing her picky toddler to eat his vegetables by making airplane noises and pretending the spoon was a rocket ship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Someone had pointed her out to Father Maurice Kwairanga who was coaxing her to speak.

The Guardian

All this might sound harsh and punitive – and in many ways it goes against the very nature of the EU as a slow, subtle, but ultimately successful machine for diffusing conflict, creating consensus and, sooner or later, always coaxing national governments into some sort of deal.

The Guardian - Opinion

But coaxing them from power does not require adding the bonus of a safe tea in London with Lady Thatcher.Which brings in the third argument.

The Economist

It's a predicament many Iowa Democrats seem to share this election cycle, which means campaigns are likely to lavish even more effort, money and attention on coaxing Iowans off the fence".I have to laugh when people talk about Hillary's inevitability", said Ruth Kehoe, an Obama supporter, as a group in an adjoining room applauded the signing of another card.

The Economist

Officials plan to review the current pace of QE in March.There is also a question-mark over what this wave of central-bank experimentation can achieve: since bond yields are already so low, the marginal return to coaxing them even lower may be scant.

The Economist

Where births continue to decline, coaxing the old to continue to work will be only a partial answer.

The Economist

Mr Ross jumbles their stories together, coaxing meaning from the mix-and-match .Mr Peanut" is full of tricks: shifting narrations, quirky chronology and mix-and-match .Mrn novels.

The Economist

This seemed to offer a way to unite scepticism of state intrusions with an active interest in social welfare; it suggested that a better society could be achieved by coaxing and swaying citizens rather than compelling them.

The Economist

And coaxing toddlers to recognise numbers and write their names does not appear to give them an advantage: by the age of 15, on OECD data, English students lag behind others who started later.

The Economist

In the early 1970s RCA did succeed in coaxing some light from gallium nitride-based diodes, but its blue LEDs were inefficient and dim.

The Economist

AFTER coaxing the molten glass at the tip of a long steel rod to the correct length and thickness, the master craftsman carries it to his workbench and curves the still-hot material into the desired shape.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coaxing" when you want to convey a gentle and persuasive approach to influence someone or something, often with the implication of overcoming initial reluctance.

Common error

Avoid using "coaxing" in highly formal or technical writing where a more direct term like "persuading" or "encouraging" might be more appropriate. "Coaxing" can sometimes imply a subtle manipulation that may not be desirable in certain contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "coaxing" is that of a verb, specifically as a present participle or gerund. It describes an ongoing action of gently persuading someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, "coaxing" is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coaxing" is a versatile and frequently used verb form that effectively conveys the act of gently persuading someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The word is particularly prevalent in News & Media sources, often used to describe delicate negotiations or subtle influence tactics. While "coaxing" is generally acceptable, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse in highly formal settings where a more direct term might be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "persuading gently" or "gently encouraging" can offer nuanced variations to suit specific communication needs. The expert rating of 4.8 reinforces the reliability and appropriateness of "coaxing" in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cajoling

Suggests using flattery or gentle urging, very similar but can sometimes imply insincerity.

persuading gently

Focuses on the gentle aspect of convincing someone, omitting the implication of possible resistance.

enticing softly

Highlights the act of attracting someone mildly, suggesting a subtle charm.

gently encouraging

Emphasizes the act of giving support with kindness, excluding the manipulative undertones.

sweet-talking

Implies flattery and charm to achieve a desired outcome, more informal than "coaxing".

winning over

Focuses on gaining someone's support or affection, often implies initial opposition.

drawing out

Suggests slowly extracting information or a response, different from persuading action.

luring gradually

Emphasizes a slow and tempting approach, may imply a hidden motive.

wheedling

Involves persistent and often annoying attempts to persuade, more negative than "coaxing".

inducing compliance

Highlights bringing about obedience, a more formal and direct way to persuade.

FAQs

How to use "coaxing" in a sentence?

You can use "coaxing" to describe gently persuading someone or something. For example, "She spent hours "coaxing the cat out from under the bed"".

What can I say instead of "coaxing"?

You can use alternatives like "persuading gently", "enticing softly", or "gently encouraging" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "coaxing" or "forcing"?

"Coaxing" and "forcing" represent opposite approaches. "Coaxing" involves gentle persuasion, while "forcing" implies compelling someone against their will. The correct choice depends on the context and your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "coaxing" and "cajoling"?

Both "coaxing" and "cajoling" suggest gentle persuasion. However, "cajoling" often implies the use of flattery or insincere charm, while "coaxing" can be a more genuine form of encouragement.