less convincingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less convincingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is not as persuasive or compelling as it could be. Example: "The author's argument was less convincingly presented in the second half of the paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Then, less convincingly, he says, "What about 'person-hole cover'.

The Guardian - Music

She, a bit less convincingly, decides to forgive him.

The New York Times

Cross's book helps define Cobain's terror; Dyson's less convincingly describes how widely Tupac's was shared.

The New York Times - Books

The same criticism could be leveled, albeit less convincingly, at "Your Brother.

The New York Times

Then he added, perhaps less convincingly, "I'm not sure it really does matter".

The New York Times

Less convincingly, he defends free will from the Libet experiments which purport to disprove it.

The Guardian - Books

Less convincingly, some scholars have suggested that the sixth party system began in 1980.

The New Yorker

I repeated my lines several times -- each time, I felt, more self-consciously and less convincingly than before.

The New York Times - Books

As befits the book's target readership, Ms. McMillan writes about men much less convincingly than she writes about women.

The New York Times - Books

This is what – less shatteringly but no less convincingly – he delivers with his finely scored, highly tuned Uncle Vanya.

The Guardian

The more subtle humor and intricacies of "L'Heure Espagnole" were less convincingly rendered and the singing and acting sometimes tentative.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less convincingly", ensure the context provides a clear comparison point. It is often used to contrast with something that is convincing.

Common error

Avoid using "less convincingly" when you mean something is completely unconvincing or outright false. It implies a degree of believability, however small.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "less convincingly" functions primarily to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating the degree to which an action, statement, or characteristic is persuasive or believable. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, highlighting the phrase's role in qualifying the strength of an argument or performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less convincingly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to temper statements and express a nuanced assessment of persuasiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, notably in News & Media and Scientific writing. When aiming for clarity, remember that "less convincingly" implies a degree of believability, distinguishing it from complete incredulity. Consider alternatives like "less plausibly" or "not as convincingly" to fine-tune your message. By understanding its subtleties, you can leverage "less convincingly" to enhance the precision and sophistication of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as convincingly

A more direct way of expressing a lower level of persuasiveness.

not so convincingly

Similar to "not as convincingly" but with a slightly different emphasis.

less plausibly

Indicates a lower degree of believability or likelihood.

less persuasively

Focuses on the reduced ability to convince someone.

less effectively

Highlights the reduced impact or success of the action.

less credibly

Highlights a decrease in the trustworthiness or reliability of something.

more weakly

Directly indicates a lack of strength in the argument or action.

with less force

Emphasizes a lack of strength or impact in the action or argument.

with less certainty

Focuses on the speaker or actor's reduced confidence.

less decisively

Indicates a lack of clear resolution or determination.

FAQs

What does "less convincingly" mean?

It means something is presented or performed in a way that is not entirely persuasive or believable, but not necessarily entirely unconvincing either. It implies a weaker degree of conviction compared to something else.

How can I use "less convincingly" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe how an argument, explanation, or performance was presented. For example, "The evidence supported the first claim strongly, but the second was argued "less persuasively"".

What are some alternatives to saying "less convincingly"?

Some alternatives include "less plausibly", "not as convincingly", or "more weakly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "less convincingly" or "unconvincingly"?

"Less convincingly" implies some degree of persuasiveness, albeit weak, while "unconvincingly" suggests a complete lack of persuasiveness. The choice depends on whether there's any merit to the presentation or argument.