less convinced by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less convinced by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a degree of skepticism or doubt about something compared to another perspective or opinion. Example: "After hearing both sides of the argument, I found myself less convinced by the opposing viewpoint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Some excellent still whites are now made in most vintages in the UK (reds I'm less convinced by).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I am less convinced by this conversion than by the others, which more intuitively trade one sort of intensity for another.

The New York Times - Books

While the first part of this formulation is unarguable, I am less convinced by the second: what is an English inclination and culture?

The Guardian

Howard Roark is, up to a point, a plausible name for an architect, but I am less convinced by Stourley Kracklite.

The Guardian - Film

And this is especially true of women voters who are generally more sceptical of the political process and less convinced by political posturing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Almost 70% of voters want the government to "protect jobs and ensure that trade is fair" rather than promote free trade.Go beyond the protectionism, however, and Americans are less convinced by populist politics.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The judge was less convinced, however, by one key theory about the murder: that it was ordered in response to a highly critical report, written by Litvinenko for a private security firm, about Russia's then deputy prime minister, Victor Ivanov.

The Guardian

But at the same time I am less convinced than ever by the fundamental Valley mindset: that success for startup founders and employees will ultimately lead to bettering the rest of the world.

TechCrunch

The results of the multinomial logistic regression point out that the correlates of electronic cigarette experimentation were: male gender, being a smoker of traditional cigarettes, having friends who experimented with electronic cigarettes, having stronger beliefs that electronic cigarettes could help them quit smoking and being less convinced that they are used only by smokers.

BMC Public Health

At the beginning of the deliberations, two jurors were less convinced of Mr. Rajaratnam's guilt, largely moved by his philanthropic efforts in support of the Harlem Children's Zone, a nonprofit group.

The New York Times

But Rob Reich, a professor of political science at Stanford University, is less convinced that Teach for America is being influenced by Walton's conservative-leaning stance.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less convinced by" when you want to express a moderate degree of doubt or skepticism about something, rather than outright rejection. It suggests an openness to being persuaded, but a current lack of full belief.

Common error

Avoid using "less convinced by" in overly passive constructions. For example, instead of "The argument was less convinced by me", prefer "I was less convinced by the argument" for clearer, more direct communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less convinced by" functions as a qualifier expressing a degree of skepticism or doubt. It modifies the subject by indicating that they are not entirely persuaded by something. Ludwig examples show it used to express reservations about arguments, ideas, or proposals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less convinced by" is a versatile phrase for expressing a moderate degree of doubt or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts, particularly news, media, and scientific writing. Alternatives like "not persuaded by" or "skeptical of" can provide nuanced variations in meaning and formality. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what you are "less convinced by" and avoid overly passive constructions. Overall, "less convinced by" is a valuable tool for expressing thoughtful disagreement and encouraging constructive dialogue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not persuaded by

Emphasizes a lack of persuasion rather than a degree of doubt.

skeptical of

Focuses on doubt and questioning the validity of something.

dubious about

Highlights uncertainty and hesitancy in accepting something.

untrusting of

Implies a lack of trust or confidence in something.

not sold on

An informal way of saying not fully convinced.

having reservations about

Suggests holding back full agreement due to certain concerns.

not entirely certain about

Indicates a degree of uncertainty or doubt.

questioning the validity of

Directly challenges the truth or accuracy of something.

expressing doubt about

Focuses on the act of voicing uncertainty.

not as confident in

Emphasizes a weaker level of confidence compared to a previous or expected level.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less convinced by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "not entirely persuaded by", "harbor reservations regarding", or "remain skeptical of". These options convey a similar meaning while maintaining a professional register.

What's the difference between "skeptical of" and "less convinced by"?

"Skeptical of" implies a stronger degree of doubt or disbelief, while "less convinced by" suggests a milder form of uncertainty or a lack of complete agreement. The choice depends on the intensity of doubt you want to express.

Is it always necessary to specify what I am "less convinced by"?

In most cases, yes. Specifying what you are "less convinced by" provides context and clarity. Without it, your statement may be vague and open to misinterpretation. For instance, instead of saying "I am less convinced", specify "I am less convinced by the proposed solution".

What are some common synonyms for "less convinced by" that still convey a sense of polite disagreement?

Alternatives such as "not entirely persuaded by", "not fully convinced", or "having reservations about" can express disagreement in a courteous manner. These options acknowledge the other person's viewpoint while indicating your own uncertainty.