not absolutely convinced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not absolutely convinced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or uncertainty about a particular idea, claim, or situation. Example: "While I appreciate your argument, I am not absolutely convinced that it is the best solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In my view you do not sign anything unless you are absolutely convinced you can stand up and justify that signature.

The Guardian - Books

Even if the standards for 2011 and 2012 are not met, he said, "I am absolutely convinced from a national security perspective and an economic perspective that the renewable fuel standard, writ large, is the right thing to do".

The New York Times

"We're not there yet but I'm absolutely convinced we're heading for a happier second half of the season".

BBC

And I'm not absolutely convinced it's a good idea to be changing sex education in school to try and say to people, 'Feel free to go out and experiment and do this, that and the other.'" Had Davies's teacher told him that when he was 10, would he have been tempted to try being gay?

The Guardian

Add in one new book a month that Charlotte has recommended (I like Charlotte, but I wasn't absolutely convinced by A Street Cat Named Bob) and one new book a month that the Review section has described as Margaret Atwood meets EL James.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm not sure whether I ever convinced them that David Astor was absolutely on the button accusing Eden of "folly and crookedness", but I certainly was.

The Guardian

"Paula was absolutely right to be concerned about her name being on the list because anyone who has known her for a long time is absolutely 100% convinced she is not a drug cheat," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. McGreevey said he could not reveal details of the plot but said he was absolutely convinced that the warnings were credible.

The New York Times

- The entire demonstration that RL neurons exert an inhibitory effect on the respiratory networks is absolutely not convincing.

eLife

- How do the authors explain that Substance P has no effect on the inspiratory period in the WT?, and that SP increases inspiratory period in the RL-/RTN animals? - The entire demonstration that RL neurons exert an inhibitory effect on the respiratory networks is absolutely not convincing.

eLife

Wenger said that Arteta was "absolutely convinced he didn't make a foul and that it was very harsh".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not absolutely convinced" to express a moderate level of doubt or uncertainty, rather than outright disagreement. It's suitable when you acknowledge a point but aren't fully persuaded.

Common error

Avoid pairing "not absolutely convinced" with other absolute negatives in the same sentence. This can create a confusing and overly emphatic tone. For example, instead of "I am not absolutely convinced that there is no solution", consider "I am uncertain whether a solution exists".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not absolutely convinced" serves as a hedge, softening a statement and expressing a lack of complete certainty or agreement. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it indicates a moderate level of doubt rather than outright rejection.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not absolutely convinced" is a useful tool for expressing a measured degree of doubt or uncertainty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it avoids outright disagreement, signaling instead a need for further consideration or more compelling evidence. While grammatically sound and appearing in reliable sources like news media and scientific publications, the expression is relatively rare. Alternatives such as "not entirely persuaded" or "somewhat doubtful" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis, allowing for more precise communication of one's reservations. When using "not absolutely convinced", avoid pairing it with other absolute negatives to prevent a confusing and overly emphatic tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely persuaded

Replaces "convinced" with "persuaded", emphasizing the aspect of being influenced or swayed.

not fully certain

Substitutes "convinced" with "certain", highlighting a lack of sureness.

somewhat doubtful

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression of doubt.

a bit skeptical

Uses "skeptical" to indicate a questioning or doubting attitude.

not quite sure

Emphasizes a lack of certainty, similar to "not fully certain".

have some reservations

Indicates holding back complete agreement due to concerns.

not completely sold

Uses a colloquial expression to convey a lack of full acceptance.

remain unconvinced

Highlights the ongoing state of not being convinced.

not persuaded one way or the other

Emphasizes neutrality and a lack of influence.

harbor doubts

Suggests the presence of underlying uncertainties.

FAQs

What does "not absolutely convinced" mean?

The phrase "not absolutely convinced" means that someone is experiencing a degree of doubt or uncertainty about something. It suggests they are not fully persuaded or certain, but it does not necessarily imply complete disagreement.

How can I use "not absolutely convinced" in a sentence?

You can use "not absolutely convinced" to express mild skepticism or uncertainty. For example: "I appreciate your argument, but I am "not absolutely convinced" that it's the best approach."

What are some alternatives to "not absolutely convinced"?

Alternatives include phrases like "not entirely persuaded", "somewhat doubtful", or "a bit skeptical". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not absolutely convinced" or "absolutely not convinced"?

"Not absolutely convinced" suggests a degree of uncertainty, while "absolutely not convinced" indicates strong disagreement or disbelief. The appropriate phrase depends on the level of conviction you wish to express.