heightened conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heightened conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increased level of certainty or belief in something. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, she felt a heightened conviction that her theory was correct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But this only heightened the conviction of the health-care plan's Republican backers that an individual mandate was needed.

The Washington Post

Several meetings with the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, had served to heighten their conviction that the G8 summit offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for change.

The Guardian

Their passions are heightened by the conviction that this conflict may ultimately be decided by world opinion, which, as America learned during the Vietnam war, can be effectively swayed by images on television.

The New York Times

The concerns were heightened by the conviction of Representative Randy Cunningham on charges of taking millions of dollars in cash and gifts in exchange for inserting earmarks for a military contractor.

The New York Times

It was the "he said/she said," only heightened by the conviction of two self-assured witnesses.

Los Angeles Times

Many at the caucus site — a high school gymnasium here — did not appear to need convincing, with their political convictions heightened by frustration at the idea of being ignored by the party.

The New York Times

Such mistrust has been heightened here since the conviction of former Gov. Don Siegelman, a Democrat, in a case many still insist was politically motivated.

The New York Times

The call that we give today, which Americans have certainly heard before, is based on our knowledge and our conviction that heightened awareness and readiness deters terrorism and saves lives.

The New York Times

Indeed, although affirmed negotiators proved relatively more open to compromise when either the salience of their true convictions or the importance of remaining faithful to those convictions was heightened, the reverse was true when the salient goal was compromise.

Stanford University

Mr. Romney's distant, complicated relationship with many of the conservative media's leading voices has heightened concerns that his convictions are not as genuine and deep-seated as their own.

The New York Times

Still, I keep reminding myself, sometimes aloud in order to heighten my inner conviction, there's no place for comparison: America is not Israel.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heightened conviction" to express a notable increase in someone's belief or certainty, often after new information or experiences. For example, "The evidence presented at trial led to a "heightened conviction" of the defendant's guilt."

Common error

Avoid using "heightened conviction" when a simple belief or opinion is meant. This phrase implies a significant strengthening of a pre-existing belief, not the formation of a new one. Use "strong belief" or similar phrases instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heightened conviction" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "heightened" modifies the noun "conviction". Ludwig examples showcase its role in describing an increased state of certainty or belief. This is aligned with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heightened conviction" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes an increased level of certainty or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not overly common, it finds usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure it appropriately reflects a significant intensification of a pre-existing belief. Consider alternatives like "increased certainty" or "intensified belief" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The analyzed examples from Ludwig show that authoritative sources commonly employ it, lending credibility to its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased certainty

Focuses on the state of being more sure of something.

intensified belief

Highlights a stronger level of faith or trust in something.

strengthened assurance

Emphasizes a reinforced sense of confidence.

deepened conviction

Suggests a more profound or rooted belief.

reinforced faith

Focuses on bolstering one's belief in something.

amplified confidence

Highlights an increased feeling of self-assurance.

enhanced assurance

Emphasizes the improvement of one's confidence.

magnified certainty

Suggests that the degree of sureness about something has been increased.

escalated belief

Suggests a gradual increase in confidence.

waxing confidence

Indicates a growing feeling of self-assurance.

FAQs

How can "heightened conviction" be used in a sentence?

You can use "heightened conviction" to describe an increased level of certainty or belief. For instance: "After reviewing the evidence, the jury reached a "heightened conviction" of the defendant's guilt".

What phrases are similar to "heightened conviction"?

Alternatives include "increased certainty", "intensified belief", or "strengthened assurance", which also convey a stronger sense of belief.

Is "heightened conviction" formal or informal?

"Heightened conviction" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in formal writing such as news articles or academic papers. The level of formality will rely on the specific vocabulary and sentence structure of the text where it is used.

What's the difference between "heightened conviction" and "strong belief"?

"Heightened conviction" suggests an increase in the intensity of a belief that already existed, whereas "strong belief" simply indicates a firm or unwavering belief without necessarily implying that it has intensified over time.