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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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convinced to be

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "convinced to be" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a belief or certainty about something, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "She was convinced to be the best candidate for the job."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

His enthusiasm was contagious, drawing everyone in and making them feel comfortable on set — right down to the security guard and a stranger passing by on a motorcycle, both of whom Weber convinced to be in a shot with Schoenaerts.

News & Media

The New York Times

I think one has to be determined and convinced to be able to become a professor.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

Yet he has been convinced to be "realistic".

News & Media

Huffington Post

In Gaza, Hamas rules unopposed and is convinced to be on a winning streak.

News & Media

Huffington Post

As a country full of right-wing conservatives historically convinced to be profoundly socialists, we have a weird relationship with your politics.

News & Media

Vice

7. Follow-up with who you meet: Not everyone who visited your booth at a trade show is 100percentt convinced to be your customer.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Did you have to be convinced to do this movie?

News & Media

Huffington Post

So first of all, office-based psychiatrists have to be convinced to participate in the study.

The Turkish Ministry of Health has to be convinced to change its policy.

Unfortunately, he nips and tucks the historical record too often to be convincing to those who aren't already convinced.

Those who cannot be convinced deserve to be disparaged.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "convinced to be" with stronger, more direct verbs like "persuaded", "led", or "believed" followed by a clear statement of what was believed or the action taken as a result. For example, instead of "He was convinced to be honest", use "He was persuaded to be honest" or "He was convinced that honesty was the best policy".

Common error

Avoid using "convinced to be" when you intend to express a simple belief or certainty. This phrasing is often grammatically awkward and unclear. Instead, use constructions such as "convinced that", or rephrase to use a stronger verb that clearly indicates the nature of the conviction. For instance, don't say "I'm convinced to be right"; instead, say "I'm convinced that I'm right".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "convinced to be" attempts to convey a state of belief or persuasion. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is often grammatically awkward and unclear. The examples provided by Ludwig show diverse attempts to use it, highlighting the potential for misinterpretation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "convinced to be" appears in various contexts, it is often grammatically awkward and lacks clarity. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, this phrase is generally not correct. It attempts to convey persuasion or belief, but clearer alternatives such as "persuaded to believe", "convinced that", or using stronger, more direct verbs are recommended. When aiming for precision in writing, especially in formal or professional settings, it's best to avoid "convinced to be" and opt for more grammatically sound and easily understood alternatives.

FAQs

What does "convinced to be" mean?

The phrase "convinced to be" is not standard English and can be confusing. It often tries to express that someone has been persuaded or influenced to believe something. It's better to use clearer alternatives like "persuaded to believe" or "led to think".

How can I rephrase a sentence using "convinced to be" to be more grammatically correct?

Instead of using "convinced to be", you can use phrases like "convinced that", or stronger verbs such as "persuaded to believe" or "led to think". For example, replace "She was convinced to be the best candidate" with "She was convinced that she was the best candidate".

Is it always incorrect to use "convinced to be"?

While not always grammatically wrong, "convinced to be" is generally awkward and less clear than alternatives. Ludwig AI identifies it as potentially unclear. It's better to opt for more direct and precise phrasing to avoid ambiguity.

What are some alternatives to "convinced to be" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "persuaded to believe", "led to think", or simply use "convinced that" followed by a clear statement of belief. These alternatives offer greater clarity and grammatical correctness.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: