to be won over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be won over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the process of persuading someone to change their opinion or feelings about something. Example: "After much discussion, she was finally won over to the idea of taking a vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

-Who would need to be won over?

The New York Times

Both had to be won over, made trustworthy.

The Guardian

Instead, I prefer to be won over by films.

The Guardian - Film

I was willing to be won over, but the dress was not kind.

The New York Times

Freedom, she would advise the founders of new democracies, has to be won over and over.

The New York Times

Still, many locals remain wary and will need to be won over, Mr. Leupold said.

The New York Times

Cinema is unique in that way – we may need to be won over by the film, but we don't have to be won over by the form itself.

The Guardian - Film

Freedom has to be won over and over again, as the South Africans say.

The Guardian

Hague acknowledges "people have to be won over", but remains emphatic.

The Guardian

You can carp about lack of innovation, only to be won over by sheer talent.

The Guardian - Music

I defy you not to be won over by this music.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be won over" when you want to emphasize the process of changing someone's opinion or gaining their support through deliberate effort.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "to be won over". Sometimes, an active voice construction can be more direct and impactful; for example, instead of "the audience needed to be won over", try "the speaker needed to win over the audience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be won over" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes the state of someone undergoing a process of persuasion or influence, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig where individuals or groups need to be convinced or have their support gained.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be won over" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the process of gaining someone's support or changing their opinion through persuasion. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it functions as a passive verb phrase, often found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "to be persuaded" or "to be convinced" exist, "to be won over" specifically emphasizes the effort required to achieve this change. Remember to use active voice constructions when appropriate and avoid overuse of passive voice for clarity. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating the versatility and widespread acceptance of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be won round

British English variant of 'to be won over', carrying the same meaning.

to be persuaded

Focuses on the act of convincing someone through reasoning or argument.

to be convinced

Highlights the state of becoming certain about something.

to be swayed

Implies a gentle shift in opinion or feeling.

to be influenced

Emphasizes the effect someone or something has on a person's beliefs or actions.

to come around to

Implies a change of mind or acceptance of a previously opposed idea.

to be converted

Suggests a complete change in belief or allegiance.

to be brought around

Indicates a gradual change of opinion after initial resistance.

to have a change of heart

Refers to a shift in emotional disposition or attitude.

to be receptive to

Indicates a willingness to consider new ideas or opinions.

FAQs

How can I use "to be won over" in a sentence?

Use "to be won over" to describe a situation where someone's opinion or support needs to be gained through persuasion or effort. For instance, "The skeptical investors had "to be won over" before the project could proceed".

What's a good alternative to "to be won over"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to be persuaded", "to be convinced", or "to be swayed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "to be won over" or "to win over"?

The choice depends on whether you want to focus on the recipient or the agent of persuasion. "To be won over" emphasizes the person whose opinion is changing, while "to win over" emphasizes the person doing the persuading. For example, "The client needed "to be won over"" versus "The salesperson needed "to win over" the client".

What does it mean when someone says they are "willing to be won over"?

It means they are open to changing their opinion or being convinced, but they require compelling evidence or persuasive arguments. It implies a degree of skepticism but also a willingness to consider alternative viewpoints.