persuading to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "persuading to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks a direct object or a clear context. Example: "She is persuading him to join the club."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

| Penney has some persuading to do.

The New York Times

Not that anyone needs persuading to enter.

The New York Times

But they have a lot of persuading to do.

The Economist

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

The Economist

A few years ago we ran 20 names, some of whom needed persuading to appear.

Independent

"Did it take a lot of persuading to get you here Sol?" asks the interviewer.

The Guardian - Sport

The "smalls" will take a lot of persuading to vote for a candidate from a large country.

The Guardian - Opinion

And while there are now more smartphone owners, they will need more persuading to buy a replacement phone.

The Guardian - Tech

The Liberal Democrat deputy leader, Simon Hughes, strongly criticised the prime minister's idea, saying his party would need a "lot of persuading" to back it.

The Guardian

Hirsute and powerful, Georgiev looked every inch the sort of chap who might not need persuading to carry on playing in a war zone.

The Guardian - Sport

Initially, he balked but took little persuading to move his family to Washington, where he quickly earned the nickname 'the IBM machine on legs'.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to influence someone's actions, replace "persuading to" with more grammatically sound options such as "persuading someone to", "convincing someone to", or "encouraging someone to" for clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "persuading to" without specifying who is being persuaded. Always include the person or entity you are trying to influence, such as "persuading them to join" or "persuading the team to adopt the new strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "persuading to" functions as part of a verbal construction that aims to express the act of influencing someone. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically incomplete without a specified object. Examples show its usage in various contexts, even though it is technically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "persuading to" is frequently encountered across various sources, especially in News & Media. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, indicating that it needs an object to be considered complete. To ensure grammatical correctness, it's better to use alternatives like "persuading someone to", "convincing someone to", or "encouraging someone to". While the phrase's frequency suggests common usage, it's crucial to prioritize grammatical accuracy, particularly in formal writing and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convincing someone to

Replaces "persuading" with "convincing", focusing on overcoming doubt or resistance.

encouraging someone to

Substitutes "persuading" with "encouraging", emphasizing a supportive and positive approach.

getting someone to

Uses a more casual expression, "getting", indicating a successful effort to influence.

inducing someone to

Employs a formal term, "inducing", suggesting a more subtle or indirect form of persuasion.

influencing someone to

Replaces "persuading" with "influencing", focusing on the impact one has on another's decision.

motivating someone to

Focuses on inspiring action through motivation rather than direct persuasion.

enticing someone to

Highlights the attractiveness of the proposition as a means of persuasion.

coaxing someone into

Implies gentle and persistent persuasion, often involving flattery or charm.

compelling someone to

Indicates a strong and almost irresistible form of persuasion.

advising someone to

Suggests providing guidance that leads to a decision, rather than directly persuading.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "persuading to" that are grammatically correct?

Consider using phrases like "convincing someone to", "encouraging someone to", or "getting someone to" for greater grammatical accuracy.

Is "persuading to" grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "persuading to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "persuading someone to" or another similar construction.

How can I use "persuade" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure you include an object (the person or entity being persuaded) and a clear action they are being persuaded to take. For example, "I persuaded her to accept the offer" is correct, while "I am persuading to accept the offer" is incorrect.

What's the difference between "persuading someone to" and "influencing someone to"?

"Persuading someone to" implies a direct attempt to convince someone to do something, while "influencing someone to" suggests a more subtle or indirect effect on their decision or behavior.