persuasive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'persuasive' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an argument, statement, or course of action that is intended to persuade someone to agree with or take a particular course of action. Example sentence: His persuasive speech convinced the board to approve the proposal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Politics is persuasion and "to be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible" wrote the American journalist Edward R Murrow.

The Guardian - Opinion

This might not be a problem if it were a drug for TB, malaria or AIDS – but critics of the HPV donation asked why cervical cancer received such a comprehensive effort in Rwanda – reaching 95% for 11-year-old girls when disease incidence lags well behind other vaccine-preventable diseases in the developing world (read the Rwandan health minister's persuasive rebuttal).

The Guardian

Perhaps a dose of scepticism on HS2 sounds more persuasive in Goldmanese.

The Guardian - Business

We will not seek to dissuade migrants from risking their lives with posters or radio spots but rather with the most persuasive means out there: the voices of survivors and the family members of missing migrants".

The Guardian

Persuasive writing: style, structure and special technique The three key jobs of communicative art-writing: what is it, what is it about, and how does this connect to the rest of the world?

The Guardian

The story Linda Jing tells in the video is slick and persuasive: she was a girl from a poor village forced to study by candlelight because there was no electricity until coal-fired power plants arrived, transforming her destiny and that of China.

The Guardian

Little survives of his work, apart from a detailed list describing how voices can range from being engaging or feeble to persuasive and even melodious.

The Guardian

But he was very persuasive on the need to amend the student migration rules.

The Guardian

He had adapted the new approach of Bill Bernbach, the man who made American advertising modern in the early 1960s, to a British sensibility and British conversational rhythms and turned it into the best persuasive prose imaginable.

The Guardian

I enjoy it because it makes me feel great, so I'm hoping that more sleep will be an equally persuasive revelation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But I do like it when comedy is delivered from a coherent, persuasive set of convictions about the world.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to be "persuasive", prioritize clear and logical arguments supported by credible evidence. This approach is more effective than relying solely on emotional appeals.

Common error

Avoid using overly emotional language without substantial evidence. While emotions can be effective, a lack of factual support can weaken your "persuasive" argument and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The word "persuasive" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that has the ability to convince or influence someone. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "persuasive" describes arguments, voices, writing, and stories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "persuasive" is a common and effective adjective used to describe something capable of convincing or influencing others. As Ludwig AI confirms, "persuasive" is grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When using "persuasive", prioritize clarity and logical reasoning and avoid over-reliance on emotion without factual backing. Consider alternatives like "convincing" or "cogent" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convincing

This term emphasizes the quality of making someone believe something is true.

cogent

This suggests an argument that is clear, logical, and convincing.

compelling

Highlights the ability to evoke interest, attention, or admiration in a convincing way.

influential

Focuses on having the power to affect someone's actions or opinions.

effective

Indicates a successful outcome in persuading or achieving a desired result.

plausible

Suggests something that is believable and likely to be true.

sound

Implies that an argument is well-reasoned and logically valid.

credible

Emphasizes that something is believable because it comes from a trusted source.

forceful

Highlights the powerful and assertive nature of a persuasive attempt.

inducing

Focuses on successfully causing someone to do something.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "persuasive" in a sentence?

Use "persuasive" to describe something that successfully convinces someone. For example, "Her "persuasive argument" swayed the committee's decision."

What are some alternatives to the word "persuasive"?

You can use alternatives like "convincing", "cogent", or "compelling" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "persuasive" or "persuasion"?

"Persuasive" is an adjective that describes something capable of persuading, while "persuasion" is a noun referring to the act of persuading. For example, "He gave a persuasive speech" versus "The art of persuasion is essential in sales".

What's the difference between "persuasive" and "influential"?

"Persuasive" emphasizes the ability to convince someone through reasoning or argument, while "influential" highlights the capacity to affect someone's actions or opinions. Being "influential" doesn't necessarily imply direct attempts at persuasion.