hard to convince

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to convince" is correct and usable in written English.
It means that someone or something is difficult to persuade or convince. Example: "My friend is hard to convince to try new foods." This means that it is challenging to persuade my friend to try new types of cuisine.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Crowd hard to convince.

The New Yorker

It's hard to convince her.

The New Yorker

"It's hard to convince people to buy.

The New York Times

"It was hard to convince people to go there.

The Guardian - Film

I'm working hard to convince him to let me play".

The Guardian - Sport

Equally, Italy's industrial lobbies will be hard to convince.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's hard to convince a person in that situation to continue.

The New York Times - Sports

"It wasn't hard to convince Harry that we needed to make the trip," Mr. Bannister said.

The New York Times

But it is hard to convince people that it is worth it.

The Economist

Mr Tung will need to work hard to convince Chinese leaders to stay cool.

The Economist

It will be hard to convince them to return to a classroom".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to convince", consider the specific reason for the difficulty. Providing context can strengthen your statement. For example, "It's hard to convince consumers that our product is superior without a thorough demonstration."

Common error

Don't exaggerate the difficulty. Overstating it might undermine your credibility. Instead of saying "impossible to convince", which leaves no room for persuasion, nuance your language to suggest that it is "difficult" or "challenging" but not entirely unachievable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to convince" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied or stated subject. It describes a characteristic of someone or something, indicating a difficulty in persuading or changing their mind. This is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, where the phrase appears in various contexts to describe the challenge of influencing individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "hard to convince" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something or someone difficult to persuade. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase enjoys widespread use across various domains, from journalism to academic writing. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase, characterizing the subject as resistant to influence. While generally neutral in tone, its usage can be tailored to specific contexts by considering the underlying reasons for the difficulty in persuasion. Related phrases include "difficult to persuade", "tough to sway", and "resistant to persuasion", each offering slightly different nuances. When employing this phrase, it's important to avoid overstatement and provide relevant context to enhance clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to persuade

Replaces "hard" with "difficult", offering a slightly more formal tone.

not easily persuaded

Emphasizes the lack of ease in convincing.

tough to sway

Uses "tough" and "sway" to emphasize the resistance to influence.

resistant to persuasion

Highlights the act of resisting rather than the difficulty.

unlikely to be convinced

Focuses on the low probability of changing someone's mind.

challenging to convert

Implies a transformation of belief rather than simple agreement.

stubborn to influence

Highlights the person's stubbornness in resisting influence.

a hard sell

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate something difficult to promote or convince.

demands a lot of persuasion

Shifts the focus to the amount of effort required.

presents a convincing challenge

Highlights that convincing this person is an uphill battle.

FAQs

How can I use "hard to convince" in a sentence?

You can use "hard to convince" to describe someone or something that is difficult to persuade. For example, "It's "hard to convince" him to change his mind once he's made a decision" or "Advertisers find it "hard to convince" consumers that their product is truly better than the competition's".

What's a more formal alternative to "hard to convince"?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "difficult to persuade", "resistant to persuasion", or "unlikely to be convinced". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is "tough to convince" the same as "hard to convince"?

"Tough to convince" is a more informal alternative to "hard to convince". Both phrases express difficulty in persuading someone, but "tough" carries a slightly more casual connotation. Consider phrases like "difficult to persuade" as well.

What are some common reasons why someone might be "hard to convince"?

Someone might be "hard to convince" due to stubbornness, deeply held beliefs, lack of trust, or insufficient evidence. Understanding the underlying reason can help you tailor your approach and increase your chances of successful persuasion.