total conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong belief or certainty about something. Example: "She spoke with total conviction about her decision to pursue a career in medicine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Books

Film

TV & Radio

Lifestyle

Sport

Travel

Arts

Stage

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Guy Pearce brings total conviction to Leonard, making an everyman of this bewildered questor.

The Guardian - Film

The performances Thornton has elicited from Rowan McNamara and Marissa Gibson carry total conviction.

The Guardian - Film

Burnett writes with total conviction about this kind child, and takes the reader with her.

The Guardian - Books

That's because both cases are made by smart people and with total conviction.

The New York Times

He's always had total conviction with everything he's done, and that's probably what defines a cult hero for me.

The Guardian - Music

In these, and in the previous evening's Rossini cantatas where Barry Banks towered metaphorically, Carlo Rizzi conducted with total conviction.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Twenty-six people were exonerated with the help of DNA evidence in 2015, and DNA evidence has helped overturn 419 of the 1,733 total convictions recorded, according to the report.

The Guardian

The charity said total convictions across Wales were up 4% to nearly 250.

BBC

They're right up there with the sign language guy, whose deep n' heartfelt dedication, absolute total commitment, conviction (or maybe that was just the other 3 tire binding, poor sob burning murderers), absence of sanity, and ultimate public achievement should not b forgotten!

Huffington Post

The total includes convictions for felony, misdemeanor, and other crime classes c"Lifetime" includes historical data as early as 1970 for the CEO sample and as early as 1980 for the TJRD sample.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

28 A retrospective study in the UK also showed that the total number of convictions, theft and fraud convictions, and weeks spent in prison per year were reduced by 39.3% (p=0.03), 52.17% (p<0.001) and 82.8% (p=0.002), respectively.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "total conviction" to describe actions, performances, or arguments where the speaker or actor demonstrates a complete and unwavering belief in what they are doing or saying.

Common error

Avoid using "total conviction" when describing situations involving doubt or ambiguity. The phrase implies a complete lack of uncertainty, so it's inappropriate if the subject's belief is wavering or questionable.

Linguistic Context

"Total conviction" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an object of a verb or preposition. It describes the manner in which an action is performed or a belief is held, signifying a complete and unwavering certainty. Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Music

13%

Books

11%

Less common in

Film

7%

TV & Radio

7%

Lifestyle

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Total conviction" is a noun phrase denoting a complete and unwavering belief or certainty. Ludwig identifies its usage as grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, music, and books. The phrase emphasizes the strength and completeness of one's belief, designed to inspire confidence or persuade. While primarily neutral in tone, it can be used sarcastically depending on context. Related phrases include "absolute certainty" and "unwavering belief", each carrying slightly different nuances. To avoid misuse, it’s important to reserve its use for scenarios where there's indeed a strong sense of confidence rather than uncertainty. Ludwig AI also reports the high frequency of the usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolute certainty

Emphasizes the complete absence of doubt, focusing on the sureness of knowledge or belief.

complete assurance

Highlights the confidence and security associated with a belief or expectation.

unwavering belief

Stresses the steadfast and unchanging nature of the belief, suggesting strong commitment.

firm persuasion

Implies a strong and settled conviction, often resulting from reasoning or influence.

deep-seated conviction

Highlights the deeply rooted and fundamental nature of the belief, suggesting it is integral to one's values.

unshakable faith

Emphasizes trust and confidence that cannot be undermined, often used in a religious or ideological context.

strong faith

Describes a powerful belief, with possible roots in ideology or religion.

profound belief

Refers to a belief that is intensely and deeply felt, suggesting a significant impact on one's perspective.

earnest belief

Conveys the sincerity and seriousness of the belief, highlighting the genuine nature of the conviction.

genuine belief

Denotes the authenticity of the belief, free from hypocrisy or pretense.

FAQs

How can I use "total conviction" in a sentence?

You can use "total conviction" to describe someone's unwavering belief or certainty in something. For example, "The actor played the role with "total conviction", making the character believable" or "She argued her point with "total conviction", leaving no room for doubt."

What phrases are similar to "total conviction"?

Alternatives to "total conviction" include phrases like "absolute certainty", "complete assurance", or "unwavering belief". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "total conviction" or "strong belief"?

"Total conviction" implies a more absolute and unwavering certainty than "strong belief". "Strong belief" suggests a high degree of confidence, but "total conviction" suggests a complete absence of doubt. The better choice depends on the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Can "total conviction" be used sarcastically?

While primarily used to describe genuine certainty, "total conviction" can be used sarcastically to imply the opposite, where someone is displaying a false or exaggerated sense of certainty. The tone and context would need to clearly indicate the sarcastic intent.