need some persuading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need some persuading" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone requires convincing or encouragement to agree to something or take action. Example: "She seems hesitant about the proposal, so she might need some persuading to get on board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The territory's government will need some persuading to chip in.

The Economist

Many Europeans are sceptical at best and will need some persuading to start seeing the EU as part of a wider partnership with North America.

The Guardian - Opinion

But she may need some persuading that the No 2 role – as held by Lady Hale in the supreme court – is no small honour.

The Guardian

The Transport Secretary will need some persuading.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

His wife needed some persuading.

The New York Times

The doctors nevertheless needed some persuading that ProvenCare would not be some form of inferior cookbook medicine, said Dr. Charles H. Benoit, a cardiac surgeon.

The New York Times

Mr Hurd needed some persuading from two Law Lords, two former Home Secretaries, and Cardinal Hume before he took the decision.

The Guardian

In this case, you'll need to do some persuading to overcome their prejudice.

WikiHow

We need to persuade some world leaders to make Rio a personal priority.

The Guardian

Absent a deal on the abortion issue, Speaker Nancy Pelosi will need to persuade some Democrats who voted no in November to vote yes now.

The New York Times

YET some producers need persuading.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen your argument when someone "needs some persuading", provide concrete evidence and address their specific concerns directly.

Common error

While "need some persuading" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by incorporating alternatives such as "require convincing" or "need encouragement" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need some persuading" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that someone or something requires convincing. As confirmed by Ludwig, it expresses a state of requiring encouragement or compelling arguments. The examples from Ludwig show it modifying subjects like "government", "Europeans" or "wife".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "need some persuading" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that indicates the necessity for convincing or encouraging someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a predicate, expressing a state of requiring persuasion. While relatively uncommon, this phrase commonly appears in News & Media. To enhance your writing, consider using synonyms like "require a little convincing" or "need a bit of encouragement" to add variety. Avoid overuse to maintain reader engagement, and always tailor your language to suit the context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

require a little convincing

Emphasizes the necessity of convincing, using a slightly more formal tone.

need a bit of encouragement

Focuses on the aspect of encouragement, suggesting a lack of willingness that can be overcome with support.

require some coaxing

Highlights the need for gentle and persistent persuasion.

need to be convinced

States the requirement of conviction more directly.

are not easily convinced

Indicates a resistance to persuasion, implying a need for strong arguments.

are resistant to the idea

Focuses on the opposition to the idea, suggesting persuasion is needed to overcome this resistance.

would take some convincing

Emphasizes the time and effort required for the persuasion process.

demand considerable persuasion

Highlights the extent of persuasion needed.

aren't buying it

A more informal way of saying someone is skeptical and needs to be convinced.

are skeptical

Highlights the doubts one has, signaling a need for convincing.

FAQs

How can I use "need some persuading" in a sentence?

You can use "need some persuading" to indicate that someone is hesitant and requires convincing or encouragement to agree to something or take action. For example: "She seems hesitant about the proposal, so she might "need some persuading" to get on board."

What are some alternatives to "need some persuading"?

You can use alternatives like "require a little convincing", "need a bit of encouragement", or "require some coaxing" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "need some persuading" or "require some persuading"?

Both "need some persuading" and "require some persuading" are grammatically correct, but "require some persuading" is considered more formal. Choose the option that best suits the tone of your writing.

What does it mean when someone "needs some persuading"?

It means that the person is not easily convinced or does not readily agree with something. They require additional information, arguments, or encouragement to change their mind or take action.