persuade to undertake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "persuade to undertake" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and lacks a direct object, making it difficult to understand the intended meaning. Example: "I hope to persuade him to undertake the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it assumes that the regime can be persuaded to undertake Chinese-style economic reforms.

The Economist

In that case, the world's climate problem would remain unsolved.And moreover, if the EU can be persuaded to undertake a second commitment under Kyoto, it is likely to accept a more modest target than it has already offered.

The Economist

With mounting pressure on universities to lead the growth of our knowledge economy, it continues to surprise many of my contemporaries that being part of a mission group is a move Keele regularly considers, but has not yet been persuaded to undertake.

The Guardian

Though she initially intended another actress to portray Elinor, Thompson was persuaded to undertake the part herself, despite the wide disparity with her character's age.

Wikipedia

They frequently attempt to persuade them to undertake an action (e.g., engaging in cancer screening) rather than engage in shared decision making.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

That opportunity came in 1910, when Democratic Party leaders of Dutchess county, New York, persuaded him to undertake an apparently futile attempt to win a seat in the state senate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A group of civic leaders, headed by Sewell Avery & Elmer T. Stevens pledged him support and persuaded him to undertake the job.

The New Yorker

Zeitoun's account so fascinated Eggers that he met the family and persuaded them to undertake an expanded treatment of their experience.

The Guardian - Books

Although the theatre was Duval's natural habitat, Poulenc persuaded her to undertake recitals, the pair often appearing together to great acclaim.

The Guardian - Music

It was Kahan who persuaded Jean to undertake a research project investigating the variations in the numbers of children in care in local authorities in England and Wales.

The Guardian

Moore interweaves John's crisis and the questions it raises about his own life with descriptions of Helen's reluctant renovation of her house, a project her sister has persuaded her to undertake.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include a direct object between "persuade" and "to undertake". For example, "persuade someone to undertake" is grammatically correct.

Common error

Avoid using "persuade to undertake" without a direct object. This omission creates a grammatically incorrect construction. The correct structure requires specifying who is being persuaded (e.g., "persuade them to undertake").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "persuade to undertake" is intended to express the act of influencing someone to take on a task or responsibility. However, this construction is grammatically incorrect because it lacks a direct object between "persuade" and "to undertake". Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical issue.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "persuade to undertake" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English due to the absence of a direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, a more appropriate construction involves including a direct object between "persuade" and "to undertake", such as "persuade someone to undertake". Alternatives like "convince to undertake" or "encourage to undertake", when used with a direct object, offer grammatically sound options for expressing similar ideas. It is essential to avoid this phrasing in formal writing to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convince to undertake

Replaces "persuade" with "convince", which maintains a similar meaning of influencing someone's decision, but requires a direct object.

encourage to undertake

Uses "encourage" instead of "persuade", shifting the focus to inspiring rather than convincing. Requires a direct object after encourage.

persuade someone to undertake

Adding "someone" after persuade makes this a grammatically valid construction.

prompt to undertake

Substitutes "persuade" with "prompt", implying a more direct influence or initiation. Must be used with a direct object between persuade and to.

induce to undertake

Replaces "persuade" with "induce", suggesting a stronger form of influence, even manipulation. Must be used with a direct object between induce and to.

cajole into undertaking

Uses "cajole" to suggest persuading someone through flattery or gentle urging; changes "undertake" to the gerund "undertaking" and replaces "to" with "into".

influence to undertake

Replaces "persuade" with "influence", a broader term for having an effect on someone's decision. Must be used with a direct object between influence and to.

get someone to undertake

An informal alternative using "get" to convey persuading someone to do something. Implies that there must be a direct object used between get and to undertake.

talk someone into undertaking

Similar to "cajole", this suggests persuading through conversation; changes "undertake" to the gerund "undertaking" and replaces "to" with "into". Implies that there must be a direct object used between talk and into undertaking.

encourage the undertaking of

Restructures the sentence to focus on encouraging the action itself rather than directly persuading someone. Must be used with a direct object between encourage and the undertaking of.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "persuade to undertake" in a sentence?

The phrase "persuade to undertake" is grammatically incorrect. To use it correctly, include a direct object between "persuade" and "to undertake", such as "persuade someone to undertake".

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "persuade to undertake"?

Consider using phrases like "convince to undertake" (with a direct object) or "encourage to undertake" (with a direct object) instead, ensuring you include a direct object between them.

Is there a difference between "persuade someone to undertake" and "convince someone to undertake"?

While similar, "persuade" often implies influencing someone through reasoning or argument, whereas "convince someone to undertake" suggests overcoming doubt or skepticism. Both require a direct object for correct usage.

When would I use "encourage to undertake" instead of "persuade to undertake"?

"Encourage to undertake" (with a direct object) is suitable when you want to inspire or motivate someone, rather than strictly convince them with logic. For instance, "I encouraged her to undertake the challenge."