prevailed upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"prevailed upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to persuade or convince someone to do something. It is often used in a formal or persuasive context. Example: After much discussion, we finally prevailed upon our boss to approve our proposal for a new project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The team prevailed upon IBM for help.

Princeton University

Fortunately, Arthur Nikisch was prevailed upon to accept the post.

The New York Times - Arts

He was prevailed upon to restore the old gods.

The New Yorker

And she prevailed upon the brokerage to restate their case.

The New York Times

Sharon prevailed upon his cabinet to back Gaza withdrawal.

The Guardian

I could not have prevailed upon a more ardent rescuer.

The Guardian

He prevailed upon Sigismund to abdicate in his favour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Has she prevailed upon the show's director, Robert Johanson, to add some tap to her role?

The New York Times

Because of various political and economic problems, Mr. Krikalev is prevailed upon to stay aboard Mir.

The New York Times

The other Beatles prevailed upon him and a Beatles version was coupled with Let It Be.

The Guardian - Music

Elmo Roper prevailed upon Spiegel, Inc. of Chicago, to hire Dr. Marseille to screen credit applicants.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevailed upon" when you want to emphasize the effort or influence required to persuade someone, often in formal contexts. For example, “After much debate, the committee was prevailed upon to reconsider their decision.”

Common error

Avoid using "prevailed upon" in very informal or casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "persuaded" or "convinced" when writing for a general audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailed upon" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the successful act of persuading someone to do something. Ludwig examples show usage in diverse contexts, from historical events to modern-day negotiations, demonstrating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

24%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevailed upon" is a correct and widely used phrasal verb that signifies the act of successfully persuading someone to do something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples showcasing its usage across various contexts. While alternatives like "persuaded" or "convinced" exist, "prevailed upon" carries a slightly more formal tone and implies a degree of effort or influence. When aiming for precise and impactful communication, particularly in formal settings, "prevailed upon" is a valuable addition to your linguistic toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persuaded

Direct synonym focusing on the act of convincing.

convinced

Similar to 'persuaded', implying a firm belief was established.

influenced

Broader term indicating an effect on someone's actions or decisions.

induced

Suggests a more subtle or indirect form of persuasion.

prompted

Implies initiating an action through encouragement.

swayed

Indicates a shift in opinion or decision due to influence.

talked into

Informal way of saying someone was persuaded to do something.

brought around

Suggests changing someone's mind after initial resistance.

coaxed

Implies gentle and persistent persuasion.

pressured

Suggests a stronger, possibly unwelcome, form of persuasion.

FAQs

How can I use "prevailed upon" in a sentence?

Use "prevailed upon" to indicate that someone was successfully persuaded to do something, often after some effort or resistance. For example: "The negotiator "prevailed upon" the CEO to reconsider the terms."

What's a simple way to say "prevailed upon"?

Simpler alternatives for "prevailed upon" include "persuaded", "convinced", or "influenced". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "prevailed upon"?

"Prevailed upon" is suitable for formal writing or speech where you want to convey a sense of effort or influence in persuading someone. It is often used in news articles, academic papers, and official reports.

Is there a difference between "prevailed on" and "prevailed upon"?

While both "prevailed on" and "prevailed upon" can be used, "prevailed upon" is generally considered more formal and slightly more common. The meaning remains essentially the same – to successfully persuade someone.