convincing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "convincing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is persuasive or capable of causing someone to believe or accept something as true. Example: "Her argument was so convincing that even the skeptics began to reconsider their stance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the process of convincing people to trust politicians again is "going to be a long march".

The Guardian

But this time, reformers are growing more confident of also convincing the Senate to back the legislation after strong support in recent days from the White House, intelligence agency leaders and a US federal appeals court – even as major civil libertarian groups have decried the bill as insufficient reform.

The Guardian

There is no arrogance, no show, and every word is convincing.

The Guardian - Sport

The US government and its listeners have not advanced any convincing argument that what they do is compatible with the morality of freedom, US constitutional law or international human rights.

The Guardian - Tech

The alternative is that one of them spent the evening convincing the other to come around to their way of thinking.

The Guardian

But while the 40-year-old Australian remains open to talks – no official approach has yet been made – it is understood he will now need convincing that the job still wields sufficient power in the light of such decisions.

The Guardian - Sport

He is due to launch a six-day, 30-destination tour of Scotland's heartlands aimed at convincing undecided voters of the case for a patriotic no vote.

The Guardian

Because in the passing caravan of peace-process tourism there is normally no mention of the secret war conducted by the state and its impact in convincing republicans they could not win the war.

The Guardian

"Streaming is the growth in music, and Spotify is the growth in streaming," said Ek, in a convincing pitch for his company to become the smartest streaming music service, thanks to its new features – at least until we see what Apple has planned.

The Guardian - Tech

Some claimed Google tried to create negative press around the laws by convincing journalists the right would be harmful for freedom of expression and information.

The Guardian - Tech

White, who said he is a native of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, said he had a tough time convincing many of family members that he had a winning ticket.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to persuade your audience, ensure your argument relies not only on emotion but also on data and credible sources to make it more "convincing".

Common error

Avoid using overly subjective language without supporting evidence; relying solely on personal opinions can undermine how "convincing" your argument appears.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "convincing" functions primarily to describe a quality of something (e.g. an argument, a performance) that makes it capable of causing someone to believe it. As Ludwig AI indicates, it denotes effectiveness as proof or evidence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Tech

10%

Lifestyle

10%

Arts

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "convincing" is a versatile adjective used to describe something effective in causing belief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Sport, and Opinion contexts, it maintains a neutral register. To enhance your writing, ensure that claims are well-supported with data and credible sources. Alternatives include "persuasive" and "compelling". Avoid over-reliance on subjective claims without evidence. "Convincing" helps to convey credibility and effectiveness in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persuasive

Focuses on the ability to persuade someone to a particular belief or action.

compelling

Highlights the irresistible nature of the argument or evidence.

plausible

Emphasizes the believability and apparent truthfulness of something.

credible

Stresses the reliability and trustworthiness of the source or information.

sound

Indicates that the reasoning or evidence is solid and well-founded.

cogent

Implies a clear, logical, and persuasive presentation of ideas.

valid

Refers to the logical correctness and legitimacy of an argument.

well-founded

Suggests a strong basis in facts or evidence.

irrefutable

Indicates that the evidence or argument is impossible to deny or disprove.

unquestionable

Highlights the undeniable nature of the evidence or claim.

FAQs

How can I use "convincing" in a sentence?

You can use "convincing" to describe something that is persuasive or effective in causing belief. For example, "The lawyer presented a very convincing argument."

What can I say instead of "convincing"?

You can use alternatives like "persuasive", "compelling", or "plausible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "convincing argument" or "convinced argument"?

"Convincing argument" is correct because "convincing" is an adjective describing the quality of the argument. "Convinced" is a verb and wouldn't fit in that context.

What's the difference between "convincing" and "persuasive"?

While both imply the ability to cause belief, "convincing" often refers to the inherent quality of the evidence or argument, whereas "persuasive" describes its effect on the audience.