did not convince

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not convince" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that someone or something failed to persuade or influence you in a particular way. Example: "Despite his arguments, he did not convince me to change my mind about the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That did not convince everybody.

The Economist

Defensively, France did not convince.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Bush's speech did not convince him.

The New York Times

But this argument did not convince Williams.

The Guardian

The explanations did not convince everyone.

The Guardian - Sport

This probably did not convince most game theorists.

The Economist

But the Gaffer did not convince his audience.

The New York Times - Books

Even some he did not convince muted their opposition.

The New York Times

She apparently did not convince voters that her change of policy was sincere.

The New York Times

Although he stopped taking medication for schizophrenia, the insanity defense did not convince a jury.

The New York Times

Though their results were well-publicised at the time, they did not convince everyone.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not convince", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was unconvincing and who remained unconvinced. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "did not convince" when a stronger term like "refused to believe" or "rejected outright" is more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can dilute the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not convince" functions as a negative transitive verb phrase. It describes the action of failing to persuade or influence someone. Ludwig AI indicates this is a common and acceptable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sport

8%

Books

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not convince" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate a lack of persuasion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's particularly common in news and media, and while versatile, writers should consider stronger alternatives for added impact when needed. When using "did not convince", ensure clarity regarding what was unconvincing and who remained unconvinced to avoid ambiguity. The phrase functions as a negative transitive verb phrase, serving to communicate disagreement or the failure of an attempt to influence someone's opinion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to persuade

Emphasizes the lack of successful persuasion.

didn't sway

Focuses on the lack of influence or change in opinion.

left unconvinced

Highlights the state of being not persuaded after an attempt.

remained skeptical

Indicates a continuing doubt or disbelief.

was unpersuaded

A more formal way of saying someone was not convinced.

couldn't be sold on

Suggests a failure to accept an idea or proposal.

met with disbelief

Focuses on the negative reaction to a statement or claim.

found unconvincing

Emphasizes that something lacked the quality of being persuasive.

fell on deaf ears

Indicates the lack of attention or acceptance of an argument or plea.

gained no traction

Highlights the failure of an idea to gain acceptance or support.

FAQs

What does "did not convince" mean?

The phrase "did not convince" means someone or something failed to persuade or influence another person's belief or opinion. It suggests a lack of successful persuasion.

What can I say instead of "did not convince"?

You can use alternatives like "failed to persuade", "didn't sway", or "left unconvinced" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "did not convince" in a sentence?

You can use "did not convince" to show that an argument, explanation, or attempt at persuasion was unsuccessful. For example, "His explanation for being late did not convince his boss".

Is "did not convince" formal or informal?

"Did not convince" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might choose a synonym like "failed to persuade".