has convinced himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has convinced himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who has persuaded themselves to believe something, often despite evidence to the contrary. Example: "After much contemplation, he has convinced himself that his decision was the right one, even though others disagree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

He has convinced himself.

The New York Times - Books

He has convinced himself that the Clinton administration is listening.

The New York Times

Like Lord Hutton, Grieve has convinced himself that Dr Kelly's death was suicide.

The Guardian

He has convinced himself that Germany, the only country in a position to help, will not come to the rescue.

The New York Times

He has convinced himself that this job is much harder than risking his life in battle would have been.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Obama has convinced himself, or so he says, that things will be different next time around.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Diem had convinced himself that it was a poor approach.

The New Yorker

Drinking was, he had convinced himself, his true vocation.

The Guardian - Books

He had convinced himself that he had said nothing to me about the laundry basket.

The New Yorker

Freud may have convinced himself of the veracity of the stories he evinced, he said.

The New York Times

Having convinced himself that his critics in the press do not count, he ignores them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "has convinced himself" with a clause explaining what the person has convinced themselves of for clarity and impact.

Common error

Be cautious when using "has convinced himself" to avoid implying that the subject's belief is necessarily irrational or unfounded. Ensure the context provides sufficient evidence to support such an implication, otherwise, the phrase could be perceived as biased or judgmental.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has convinced himself" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of self-persuasion. It highlights that an individual has reached a point of believing something, often through their own internal processes, as exemplified in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Books

15%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has convinced himself" is a commonly used phrase to describe the act of self-persuasion, often implying a belief formed through internal reasoning, potentially in the face of conflicting evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It's most frequently found in news, media, and literary contexts. When using this phrase, consider the subtle nuances it conveys about the subject's internal state and the potential for self-deception. Related phrases like "has persuaded himself" or "has made himself believe" can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has persuaded himself

This alternative uses 'persuaded' instead of 'convinced', implying a slightly more active process of self-influence but retaining the core meaning.

has made himself believe

Replaces "convinced" with "made himself believe", emphasizing the act of causing oneself to hold a particular belief, possibly against external evidence.

has talked himself into believing

Highlights the internal dialogue and mental effort involved in adopting the belief.

has come to believe

Indicates a process of gradually adopting a belief, differing from the more immediate sense of 'convincing'.

has accepted as true

Focuses on the acceptance of something as factual, without necessarily implying a prior state of doubt or disbelief.

has led himself to believe

Suggests an indirect process where actions or circumstances have guided the individual to a particular belief.

has deluded himself

Implies a stronger sense of self-deception, suggesting the belief is based on false premises or wishful thinking.

has embraced the idea that

Suggests a willing and enthusiastic adoption of a belief or concept.

is under the illusion that

Emphasizes the false or illusory nature of the belief, presenting it as a misconception.

is of the opinion that

Presents the belief as a personal opinion, potentially less firmly held than a conviction.

FAQs

How can I use "has convinced himself" in a sentence?

Use "has convinced himself" to indicate that someone has come to believe something, often through their own reasoning or desire, sometimes against opposing evidence. For example: "He "has convinced himself" that he will win the lottery."

What's a more formal alternative to "has convinced himself"?

A more formal alternative could be "has persuaded himself" or "has led himself to believe", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "has convinced himself" and "has deluded himself"?

"Has convinced himself" suggests a process of self-persuasion, while "has deluded himself" implies a stronger element of self-deception and holding onto a false belief despite contradictory evidence.

When is it appropriate to use "has convinced himself"?

Use "has convinced himself" when you want to emphasize that someone's belief is self-generated and potentially not based on objective reality. It's useful when highlighting a character's internal state or when discussing subjective opinions presented as facts.