less persuasive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less persuasive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the effectiveness of arguments, statements, or presentations in terms of their ability to convince or influence an audience. Example: "The second argument presented was less persuasive than the first, failing to address key counterpoints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The results are less persuasive.

The Economist

But his analysis looks less persuasive today.

The Economist

Their arguments are even less persuasive now.

The New York Times

Data on sugar avoidance are less persuasive.

The New York Times

Saturday's concert was far less persuasive.

The New York Times

Here, though, Mr. Cheever is less persuasive.

The New York Times - Books

Other aspects of the work are less persuasive.

The New Yorker

That can make for an unwieldy and less persuasive book.

The Economist

I find them less persuasive on other things.

The New Yorker

The other full-length film, "South" (1999), is less persuasive.

The New York Times - Arts

He is less persuasive at rendering passionate commitment and despair.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less persuasive" to objectively compare the effectiveness of different arguments or viewpoints. For example, "While both proposals have merit, the data supporting the first option is less persuasive."

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where it's unclear who finds something "less persuasive". Be direct and specify the subject: "The audience found the speaker's personal anecdotes less persuasive than the statistical evidence."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less persuasive" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a lower degree of persuasiveness. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct, allowing for nuanced comparisons of effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less persuasive" is a grammatically sound and widely used comparative adjective phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate a reduced level of persuasiveness when comparing arguments or statements. It is especially common in news and media, but also appears in academic and scientific contexts, and maintains a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. When using "less persuasive", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being compared and why it's deemed less convincing. Consider alternatives like ""less convincing"" or ""weaker argument"" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less convincing

A direct synonym focusing on the act of convincing.

not as convincing

Indicates a weaker ability to convince.

weaker argument

Focuses on the strength of the argument itself.

not so compelling

Emphasizes a lack of irresistibility.

carries less weight

Implies the argument has reduced importance or influence.

not very effective

Highlights a lack of positive result or influence.

falls short of persuasion

Indicates a failure to achieve persuasiveness.

lacks persuasive power

Highlights the absence of persuasive ability.

unlikely to convince

Focuses on the probability of not being able to convince someone.

fails to impress

Highlights the absence of a positive impression or impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "less persuasive" to compare the effectiveness of arguments, ideas, or speakers. For example, "His later arguments were "less persuasive" than his initial statements."

What's a synonym for "less persuasive"?

Alternatives to "less persuasive" include "less convincing", "not as compelling", or "weaker argument" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "less persuasive" or "fewer persuasive"?

"Less persuasive" is correct. "Less" is used with uncountable nouns and abstract qualities like persuasiveness, while "fewer" is used with countable nouns.

What's the difference between "less persuasive" and "not persuasive"?

"Less persuasive" indicates a relative comparison, meaning something is weaker in its ability to convince compared to something else. "Not persuasive" means something fails to convince at all. For example, an argument can be "less persuasive" than another, but still have some merit, whereas something that is "not persuasive" completely fails to convince.