win her over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "win her over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of gaining someone's affection, support, or approval, often through charm or persuasion. Example: "He tried to win her over with thoughtful gestures and kind words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was trying to win her over".

The New York Times

But did he really win her over?

The New York Times

"I liked to parry and to win her over," the criminal-defense attorney Gerald Shargel recalled.

The New Yorker

I had tried to like her, to win her over, but I had failed.

The New York Times

"Unless you're trying to scare everyone off so you can win her over yourself?" Busted.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps the best way to win her over would be to get her to take a nap or two "" if she tries it, she may like it.

Harvard University

Boris Johnson's mother says he is "interested" in becoming the next Prime Minister - but suggested he will have to win her over because she has never voted Conservative.

Independent

At first the child is mistrustful and withdrawn; but eventually Shura's goodness and maternal warmth win her over, and the stepmother succeeds.I've left out a lot.

The New York Times

He managed to win her over, though, and after being apart for two weeks in June 2005 they discovered they were madly in love.

The New York Times

Kit went all out to win her over, and Nola sat blinking and smiling — her plain black shoes planted together on the floor, her back straight — under the assault of Kit's mad exuberance, her flattery.

The New Yorker

To win her over, he is considering her proposal for a trigger mechanism that would create a public plan, perhaps when one health insurer dominates a state or when premiums are unusually high, as is the case in Maine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "win her over", consider the context and choose actions that genuinely reflect your intentions. Sincerity is key to making a positive impression.

Common error

Relying solely on superficial tactics like gifts or flattery without genuine connection will likely fail to "win her over" in the long run. Focus on building a meaningful connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "win her over" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action performed by a subject with the intention of gaining someone's favor. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples of the phrase being used in similar contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "win her over" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrasal verb that expresses the act of gaining someone's affection, support, or approval through persuasion or charm. As validated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is prevalent in News & Media and Wiki sources, and while it carries a neutral register, careful consideration of the context is crucial to avoid superficiality and ensure sincerity. To convey similar ideas, alternatives like "gain her affection" or "charm her" can be employed, offering nuanced expressions of the same underlying concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain her affection

Focuses specifically on acquiring feelings of fondness or love.

charm her

Emphasizes the use of charm and attractiveness to influence someone.

captivate her

Highlights the act of capturing someone's attention and holding them spellbound.

gain her approval

Focuses on obtaining consent or positive feedback.

get her on your side

Stresses convincing someone to support your cause or viewpoint.

persuade her

Involves convincing someone through reasoning or argument.

woo her

Suggests a romantic and often old-fashioned approach to winning someone's affection.

ingratiate yourself with her

Emphasizes the act of trying to gain favor through flattery or pleasing actions.

curry favor with her

Implies attempting to win favor through insincere or manipulative means.

bring her around

Highlights the idea of changing someone's mind or convincing them to agree with you.

FAQs

What does "win her over" mean?

The phrase "win her over" means to gain someone's affection, approval, or support through charm, persuasion, or effort. It implies overcoming some level of resistance or indifference.

How can I use "win her over" in a sentence?

You can use "win her over" in a sentence like this: "He tried to "gain her affection" by being thoughtful and attentive."

What are some alternative ways to say "win her over"?

Some alternatives to "win her over" include "charm her", "gain her approval", or "persuade her", depending on the specific context.

Is "win her over" only used in romantic contexts?

While often used in romantic situations, "win her over" can also apply to non-romantic scenarios, such as gaining support for an idea or project. The key element is gaining someone's approval or support after some initial resistance.