it was persuading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was persuading" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action or process where something or someone is convincing or influencing another person in the past. Example: "The speaker was so compelling that it was persuading the audience to reconsider their views."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Otherwise we're just proceeding from a silly starting point.'" To Payne, the problem was straightforward: it was persuading the powerful to heed the people.

The Guardian

That gave him a long history of negotiating tough deals, whether it was persuading insurance giant Marsh & McLennan to pay $850 million to settle allegations it had cheated customers or getting former Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi to more than double his initial payment of $82,000 as reimbursement for using state workers to chauffeur his wife.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Even his own Labour Party, filled with self-loathing over the wars it was persuaded to agree to, considers its former leader an embarrassment.

The Economist

Now it is persuading other countries to follow its example.The Australians say plastic cash has two main advantages over the paper variety.

The Economist

It's persuading people to do what they don't like.

The New Yorker

But gradually, says Mr Holmes, it is persuading businesses to "swap corruption for tax".

The Economist

Here, the real difficulty is not finding the policies, it is persuading the public of their central importance.

The Guardian

SItn up now to get the best of VICE Canada delivered straight to your inbox.

Vice

As fate would have it, I was persuaded to sing at an open mic night.

Huffington Post

But I was persuaded it would be more like a show dance.

Independent

"I read his program and I was persuaded by it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was persuading" when you want to emphasize the active process of convincing someone or something over time, rather than a completed act of persuasion.

Common error

Avoid using "it was persuading" when a simple past tense like "it convinced" or "it influenced" is more concise and effective, especially when describing a single, completed event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was persuading" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action of convincing or influencing that was in progress at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig highlights, the examples show it in contexts where something was actively at work to change someone's mind or action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was persuading" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an ongoing process of influencing or convincing someone in the past. According to Ludwig, it functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense, emphasizing the active nature of the persuasion. While the phrase is accurate and well-understood, as verified by Ludwig AI, it's best to use it when you specifically want to highlight the duration or ongoing nature of the act of persuasion. Otherwise, simpler past tense forms like "it convinced" or "it influenced" may be more concise. The phrase sees use across varied news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it convinced

Direct synonym, focusing on the successful outcome of persuasion.

it influenced

Broader term indicating an effect on someone's actions or opinions.

it swayed

Implies a gentle but effective form of persuasion.

it induced

Suggests persuasion through enticement or incentive.

it motivated

Focuses on providing a reason or incentive to act.

it encouraged

Implies giving support or confidence to do something.

it prompted

Suggests initiating an action through persuasion or influence.

it led to believe

Focuses on the resulting belief as a product of persuasion.

it brought around

Idiomatic phrase suggesting a change in someone's opinion.

it talked into

Informal phrase indicating persuasion through conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "it was persuading" in a sentence?

Use "it was persuading" to describe an ongoing process of influence or conviction. For example, "The evidence presented "it was persuading" the jury to change their minds".

What are some alternatives to "it was persuading"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "it convinced", "it influenced", or "it swayed".

Is "it was persuading" formal or informal?

"It was persuading" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal writing may favor simpler past tense verbs.

What's the difference between "it was persuading" and "it persuaded"?

"It was persuading" describes an ongoing action of convincing, while "it persuaded" describes a completed act of convincing. The former emphasizes the process, the latter the result.