to persuade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to persuade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of convincing someone to do or believe something. Example: "The speaker aimed to persuade the audience to support the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have to persuade people.

The Economist

He will try to persuade them.

Independent

This show tries to persuade us otherwise.

Independent

(Americans are taking longer to persuade).

The Economist

I'm not trying to persuade you.

The New Yorker

He failed entirely to persuade Ms. Chipaumire.

The New York Times - Arts

The cardinal tried to persuade him.

The New York Times

"But we did manage to persuade them.

The Guardian

Prof. Michael Ignatieff's argument fails to persuade.

The New York Times

They wanted to persuade.

The Guardian - Books

Don't try to persuade.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to persuade", ensure your argument is logically sound and supported by evidence. Emotional appeals can be effective, but should complement, not replace, reason.

Common error

Avoid using persuasive language without substance. Simply stating an opinion forcefully will rarely "to persuade" a skeptical audience. Always back up your claims with facts and examples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to persuade" functions as an infinitive of purpose. It indicates the intention or goal behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. Examples show it often introduces a clause explaining why someone is doing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to persuade" serves as a grammatically sound and highly prevalent infinitive of purpose across diverse writing contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it's primarily deployed within News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business sectors, signaling an intent to influence or convince an audience. When employing "to persuade", focus on grounding your arguments with solid evidence and avoid over-reliance on unsubstantiated rhetoric. Consider alternatives such as "to convince" or "to influence" based on the specific nuances you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to convince

This alternative is more direct and implies a stronger level of certainty in changing someone's belief.

to influence

This alternative is broader, suggesting a subtle effect on someone's actions or thoughts without necessarily achieving full agreement.

to sway

This alternative implies moving someone from one opinion to another, often through emotional appeal.

to win over

This alternative suggests overcoming resistance or opposition to gain someone's support.

to induce

This alternative suggests leading someone to do something, sometimes through incentives or gentle pressure.

to bring around

This alternative implies gradually changing someone's opinion to match your own.

to encourage

This alternative is less forceful, focusing on inspiring confidence or hope to motivate action.

to talk into

This alternative suggests using persistent conversation to convince someone to do something they were initially reluctant to do.

to prompt

This alternative suggests initiating an action or thought, often by providing a stimulus.

to motivate

This alternative focuses on providing a reason or incentive for action.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "to persuade" in a sentence?

Use "to persuade" to describe the act of successfully convincing someone through reasoning or influence. For example, "The lawyer used compelling evidence "to persuade" the jury of his client's innocence."

What are some alternatives to "to persuade"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to convince", "to influence", or "to sway".

Is it better to "persuade" or "convince" someone?

"Persuade" often involves appealing to emotions or values, while "convince" typically relies on logic and facts. The best choice depends on your audience and the nature of your argument. Both share a very similar meaning, being ""to persuade"" someone or "to convince" someone.

What's the difference between "to persuade" and "to manipulate"?

"To persuade" involves honest reasoning and presenting information fairly, whereas "to manipulate" involves deception or exploiting someone's weaknesses. The intention behind the action is what primarily differentiates ""to persuade"" from manipulating.