were convinced that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were convinced that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong belief or certainty about something in the past. Example: "They were convinced that their decision was the right one, despite the challenges they faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Experts were convinced that crime would keep rising.

The Economist

But investigators were convinced that more jewels were hidden away.

The New York Times

Eventually they were convinced that the abduction was for real.

Independent

Others were convinced that it was a whaling ship.

The New York Times

They were convinced that the Aga Khan would pay up.

Independent

They were convinced that they could engineer a better system.

The New Yorker

We were convinced that our case was just.

The Guardian

But some commuters were convinced that a conspiracy was afoot.

The New York Times

Their parents were convinced that they were dying.

The New Yorker

They were convinced that a demonstration would precipitate surrender.

The Guardian

Every time we hung up, we were convinced that we had resolved the issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternative phrases such as "were certain that" or "firmly believed that" to add variety to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "were convinced that" when the evidence only suggests a possibility or likelihood. Reserve it for situations where there's a strong basis for the belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were convinced that" functions as a declarative expression, indicating a past state of strong belief or certainty. As shown in the Ludwig examples, this construction frequently introduces a clause stating the content of the conviction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were convinced that" is a phrase used to express a strong belief or certainty held in the past. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While the phrase is considered neutral to formal, remember to use it when the belief is based on solid grounds and not just a possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys a past state of firm conviction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were certain that

Replaces "convinced" with "certain", indicating a strong degree of sureness or confidence.

were sure that

Substitutes "convinced" with "sure", suggesting a confident belief, though potentially slightly less forceful.

were persuaded that

Emphasizes the influence of external factors in forming the belief, implying that someone or something caused them to believe it.

firmly believed that

Replaces "were convinced" with "firmly believed", stressing the strength and conviction of the belief.

were of the opinion that

Indicates a formal expression of belief or judgment, suitable for professional contexts.

held the belief that

Highlights the act of holding a specific belief, framing it as a held position or viewpoint.

were under the impression that

Suggests a belief based on incomplete or potentially inaccurate information.

were led to believe that

Indicates that external influences or misleading information caused them to form the belief.

were under the assumption that

Implies a belief taken for granted without necessarily having solid evidence.

had no doubt that

Emphasizes the absence of uncertainty or questioning regarding the belief.

FAQs

What does "were convinced that" mean?

The phrase "were convinced that" indicates a strong belief or certainty about something in the past. It implies that someone or a group of people held a firm conviction regarding a particular fact or idea.

How can I use "were convinced that" in a sentence?

You can use "were convinced that" to express a past belief. For example, "The experts "were convinced that" crime would keep rising."

What are some alternatives to "were convinced that"?

Alternatives include "were certain that", "firmly believed that", or "were persuaded that", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "were convinced that" and "believed that"?

While both express belief, "were convinced that" suggests a stronger level of certainty than simply "believed that". The former implies a firm and unwavering conviction, while the latter can indicate a more tentative or less substantiated belief.