persuade

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "persuade" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb when you want to describe an action of talking or convincing someone to do something. For example: "She tried to persuade him to marry her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The same is true of refinancing at a different bank from the one that currently holds your mortgage, or trying to persuade a new bank to give you a business loan.

The Economist

Party leadership figures lined up to persuade members to vote for an endorsement of "business of usual" on fiscal policy, albeit accepting some amended language committing us explicitly to prioritising sensible stuff like investment in infrastructure.

The Guardian - Opinion

He remembers it: "Even though they knew you and were aware of your training, it took ages to persuade them".

The Guardian

They tried to persuade him to call the mayor "leader", but he laughed it off.

The Guardian

She spent part of last year having very discreet conversations with the treasury as she sought to persuade George Osborne to commit serious money to building the artistic headquarters of his northern powerhouse plan.

The Guardian

Will he really want the Sun to persuade its readers to vote "yes" in a referendum?

The Guardian

Yet university managers say it is hard to persuade City investors to back your project on reasonable terms if you aren't an elite institution at the top of the league tables.

The Guardian

"I know the argument that you persuade Auntie Doris to take her life because then you inherit the money, but you've got to have two doctors to certify that you are mentally competent and you are making a rational, well-informed decision on your own, without persuasion," he says.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 5.46pm BST17:46 UN envoy to call for ceasefire UN special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will go to Syria this week to try to persuade Bashar al-Assad's government to call an immediate ceasefire, secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has told a news conference in Paris.

The Guardian

The danger from the Tories' point of view is that they may persuade themselves that Johnson is a more attractive potential leader than those voters whom the Tories need believe he is.

The Guardian - Opinion

Why might these nonsense images actually work and persuade people to part with real cash?

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the ethical implications of persuasion. Ensure your intent is honest and transparent, avoiding manipulation or misleading information.

Common error

Avoid using "persuade" when the situation involves coercion or manipulation. "Persuade" implies a respectful and ethical exchange of ideas, while force suggests an abuse of power.

Linguistic Context

The verb "persuade" functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the person being persuaded) and often an infinitive phrase indicating the action they are being persuaded to take. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "persuade" is a versatile and frequently used term for influencing someone's thoughts or actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. The analysis reveals that "persuade" is most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, highlighting its relevance across diverse communication fields. While interchangeable with synonyms like ""convince"" and "sway", it's crucial to distinguish it from terms like "coerce", which implies force. Mastering the nuances of "persuade" will enhance your ability to communicate effectively and ethically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convince

A direct synonym, implying a successful effort to make someone believe something.

talk into

Implies convincing someone through conversation and arguments.

sway

Suggests influencing someone's opinion or decision, often subtly.

win over

Implies gaining someone's support or agreement after initial resistance.

influence

A broader term indicating any effect on someone's thoughts or actions.

bring around

Suggests changing someone's mind to align with your own.

induce

Implies leading someone to do something, often through incentives or pressure.

motivate

Focuses on providing someone with a reason or desire to act.

coerce

Suggests using force or threats to make someone do something (negative connotation).

dissuade

The opposite of persuade, meaning to discourage someone from doing something.

FAQs

How do you use "persuade" in a sentence?

You can use "persuade" to describe the act of convincing someone to do or believe something through reasoning or argument. For example, "She tried to "convince" him to change his mind."

What can I say instead of "persuade"?

You can use alternatives like ""convince"", "sway", or "influence" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "persuade" and "coerce"?

"Persuade" involves convincing someone through reasoning and argument, while "coerce" implies using force or threats to make someone do something against their will.

Is it correct to say "persuade to do" or "persuade into doing"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "persuade to do" is more common. "Persuade into doing" emphasizes the process of getting someone to take action, as in, "I had to "talk into" it."