fail to persuade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to persuade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the inability to convince someone of a particular argument or viewpoint. Example: "Despite his best efforts, he failed to persuade the committee to approve the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Experts say that H.P. is not the first company to fail to persuade a director to step down.

The New York Times

It is one thing for liberal academics to fail to persuade conservative justices like Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.

The New York Times

The general principles cited by respondent simply fail to persuade us that we should imply in the United States-Mexico Extradition Treaty a term prohibiting international abductions.

Cornell University

Not only did he fail to persuade Mr Kocharian of the plan's wisdom, but the prime minister then used the president's support for it to bring him down.

The Economist

Even if the run on deposits is stopped, unpopular and recession-deepening budget cuts will fail to persuade investors that Argentina's economy will grow again.

The Economist

They fail to persuade a high court judge but are granted an interim injunction allowing them to appeal against the decision to the higher court.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Turkey's lira fell after the country failed to persuade the IMF to release its latest tranche of funds.

The Economist

But he listed four reasons why the union's lawyers had failed to persuade him.

The New York Times

Prof. Michael Ignatieff's argument fails to persuade.

The New York Times

The United States failed to persuade the W.T.O.

The New York Times

Kinko's fails to persuade us of this distinction.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to persuade", ensure the context clearly indicates who is attempting to persuade whom and about what. The phrase works best when the reason for the failure isn't explicitly stated, leaving room for interpretation.

Common error

Avoid immediately following "fail to persuade" with a lengthy explanation of why the persuasion failed. Often, the nuance is more impactful when the reason is implied or revealed gradually.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to persuade" functions as a verb phrase indicating an unsuccessful attempt to convince someone of something. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various contexts, confirming its established grammatical role and usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail to persuade" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express the lack of success in convincing someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is commonly found in neutral and professional contexts, particularly in news and media and academic writing. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "not manage to convince" or "be unable to sway", depending on the desired nuance. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about who is attempting to persuade whom and avoid immediately overstating the reason for failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not manage to convince

Emphasizes the lack of success in convincing someone, focusing on the inability to achieve the intended outcome.

be unable to sway

Highlights the lack of influence or impact on someone's opinion or decision.

not succeed in influencing

Focuses on the unsuccessful attempt to change someone's viewpoint or actions.

prove unconvincing

Indicates that the arguments or evidence presented were not compelling or persuasive.

meet with resistance

Suggests encountering opposition or unwillingness to be persuaded.

fall on deaf ears

Emphasizes that the attempt to persuade was completely ignored or disregarded.

be unsuccessful in advocating

Focuses on the failure to promote or defend a particular cause or position effectively.

not get through to

Indicates a lack of connection or understanding with the person being persuaded.

be rejected by

Highlights the outright refusal or dismissal of the attempt to persuade.

leave unconvinced

Focuses on the state of the person who was not persuaded, emphasizing their lack of belief or agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to persuade" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to persuade" to describe situations where an attempt to convince someone is unsuccessful. For instance, "Despite presenting compelling evidence, the lawyer "failed to persuade" the jury of his client's innocence".

What are some alternatives to "fail to persuade"?

Alternatives to "fail to persuade" include "not manage to convince", "be unable to sway", or "not succeed in influencing", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it better to use "failed to persuade" or "was unsuccessful in persuading"?

"Failed to persuade" is generally more concise and direct. "Was unsuccessful in persuading" is grammatically correct but can sound more formal or less impactful. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "fail to persuade" and "change one's mind"?

"Fail to persuade" implies an unsuccessful attempt to convince someone, while "change one's mind" focuses on the action of altering a previously held belief. If someone changes their mind, persuasion was successful. If they don't, the attempt likely "failed to persuade" them.