were unconvinced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were unconvinced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of doubt or lack of belief regarding a statement, argument, or situation. Example: "Despite the evidence presented, the jury were unconvinced by the defendant's alibi."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bond markets were unconvinced.

The Economist

But analysts were unconvinced.

The Guardian - Business

People were unconvinced of its merits.

The Guardian - Sport

But other oil analysts were unconvinced.

The New York Times

Most voters were unconvinced that this was the real crux.

The New York Times

Italians were unconvinced; some called the reign of the former Karol Wojtyla the "Polish exception".

The Economist

My sister and I were unconvinced, and so, I think, was she.

The Guardian - Opinion

Police were unconvinced and appeared to believe that money would have changed hands later.

Independent

The next day, opinion polls were cruel: two-thirds of the French were unconvinced.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many investigators were unconvinced, wondering how such an important figure could slip so easily over the border.

The New York Times

Others were unconvinced, describing the speech as "random incoherent nonsense" and the ramblings of a "posh buffoon".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were unconvinced" to express a lack of belief or persuasion after considering evidence or arguments. It's useful when you want to show that someone or a group of people considered something but didn't find it convincing.

Common error

Avoid using "were unconvinced" with a singular subject. The correct form for a singular subject is 'was unconvinced'. For example, instead of 'He were unconvinced', use 'He was unconvinced'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were unconvinced" functions as a predicative adjective, describing the state of a subject (usually plural) as lacking belief or persuasion. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were unconvinced" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a lack of belief or persuasion. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a predicative adjective with a neutral tone, appearing most often in news and media sources. To enhance your writing, remember to use it with plural subjects and consider alternatives like "remained skeptical" for variety. Avoid misusing the phrase with singular subjects, as the correct form is 'was unconvinced'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were unconvinced of

Specifies the object of their lack of conviction.

were skeptical of

Highlights the attitude of doubt.

remained skeptical

Focuses on an attitude of doubt that persists over time.

were not persuaded

Emphasizes the lack of influence or convincing power.

were doubtful

Highlights the presence of uncertainty and reservations.

expressed doubt

Focuses on the act of voicing their uncertainty.

did not believe

A direct and simple statement of disbelief.

were dubious

Emphasizes a feeling of suspicion or mistrust.

found it implausible

Focuses on the lack of believability.

rejected the idea

Suggests an active refusal to accept something.

FAQs

How can I use "were unconvinced" in a sentence?

Use "were unconvinced" to indicate a lack of belief or persuasion after considering information. For example: "Despite the presentation, the board members "were unconvinced" by the proposed changes."

What's a more formal alternative to "were unconvinced"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "remained skeptical" or "were not persuaded".

Is it better to say "were unconvinced of" or "were unconvinced by"?

Both "were unconvinced of" and "were unconvinced by" are grammatically correct, but "were unconvinced by" is generally more common. For example: "They "were unconvinced by" the evidence" is more frequently used than "They "were unconvinced of" the evidence".

What is the difference between "were skeptical" and "were unconvinced"?

"Were skeptical" implies a general attitude of doubt, while ""were unconvinced"" specifically indicates a lack of persuasion regarding a particular point or argument.