were not convinced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not convinced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or lack of belief in a statement, argument, or situation. Example: "Despite the evidence presented, the jury were not convinced of the defendant's guilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Investors were not convinced.

The New York Times

Feminists were not convinced.

Independent

Still, students were not convinced.

The New York Times

Other experts were not convinced.

The New York Times - Health

Democratic legislators were not convinced.

The New York Times

(Industrial strategists were not convinced.

The New Yorker

Many people were not convinced.

The New York Times

Investigators were not convinced.

The Guardian

But the opponents were not convinced.

The New York Times

Still, some critics were not convinced.

The New York Times

Locals were not convinced, however.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were not convinced" to express a lack of belief or persuasion after considering evidence or arguments. It's effective for showing a reasoned decision against accepting a claim.

Common error

Avoid using "were not convinced" with a singular subject. The correct form for a singular subject is "was not convinced". For example, "He was not convinced by the presentation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not convinced" functions as a declarative statement expressing disbelief or skepticism. It indicates a lack of persuasion, even after exposure to evidence or arguments. Ludwig AI shows its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were not convinced" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of belief or persuasion, Ludwig AI confirms. It's often used in news, media, and academic contexts to indicate skepticism after reviewing information. Key alternatives include "remained skeptical" and "did not believe". Remember to use "were" with plural subjects and "was" with singular subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were unconvinced

A more succinct way to express lack of persuasion.

remained skeptical

Focuses on the continued state of doubt or disbelief.

were dubious

Highlights a feeling of uncertainty or suspicion.

did not believe

States a direct lack of faith or acceptance.

doubted

A more concise way to express uncertainty.

rejected the idea

Indicates a firm refusal to accept a concept or proposal.

expressed reservations

Focuses on voicing concerns or hesitations.

were hesitant to accept

Emphasizes a reluctance or unwillingness to agree.

found it hard to swallow

An idiomatic expression suggesting disbelief or skepticism.

took it with a grain of salt

Indicates a cautious or skeptical approach to accepting information.

FAQs

What does "were not convinced" mean?

The phrase "were not convinced" means that someone or a group of people did not believe or accept something, even after being presented with evidence or arguments. It expresses a state of disbelief or skepticism.

How can I use "were not convinced" in a sentence?

You can use "were not convinced" to show that someone remained skeptical despite attempts to persuade them. For example, "Despite the detailed explanation, they "remained skeptical" and "were not convinced" by the data."

What are some alternatives to "were not convinced"?

Alternatives to "were not convinced" include phrases like "were dubious", "did not believe", or "remained skeptical". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "were not convinced" or "was not convinced"?

"Were not convinced" is used with plural subjects, while "was not convinced" is used with singular subjects. For instance, "The experts were not convinced," but "The analyst was not convinced."