win over

USAGE SUMMARY

"win over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to an act of convincing someone to do something or to accept an opinion. For example, "The candidate used charm and humor to win over the voters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It can galvanize employees and win over customers.

Forbes

Personal experience/expertise seems to win over evidence-based policies and guidelines.

Clinical Infectious Diseases

A win over Ohio State.

The New York Times

This helped win over internal sceptics.

The Economist

"I had to win over her band".

The New Yorker

"Civilisation" may yet win over "barbarism".

Independent

Let Stilton win over cheddar sometimes.

Independent

She was harder to win over.

The New Yorker

This Big Bad Wolf will win over everybody.

The New York Times - Books

It failed to win over the judge.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Up: a thrilling opening win over Notre Dame.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "win over", consider the specific strategy needed: charm, logic, persistence, or a combination. Adjust your approach based on the individual or group you are trying to influence.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a superficial agreement equates to truly winning someone over. Ensure genuine understanding and lasting commitment, not just temporary compliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "win over" functions as a dynamic verb phrase. It signifies an action aimed at changing someone's opinion or garnering their support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the process of successfully persuading or influencing someone.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "win over" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of gaining someone's support, agreement, or favor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to science and business, indicating its broad applicability. To effectively use "win over", consider the context and employ strategies tailored to the individual or group you are trying to influence. Be mindful of the potential to overestimate the depth of commitment, ensuring genuine understanding rather than mere compliance. While alternatives like "persuade" or "convince" exist, "win over" encompasses a broader range of influence tactics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain support

Highlights the act of acquiring backing or approval, shifting the emphasis from changing opinions.

convince

Emphasizes changing someone's belief or opinion, a subset of winning them over.

get acceptance

Emphasizes achieving acknowledgment or approval, often from a group or community.

persuade

Focuses on the act of convincing someone through reasoning or argument, differing from the broader sense of gaining favor.

bring around

Indicates a gradual process of changing someone's mind, often from opposition to agreement.

secure approval

Stresses obtaining formal agreement or consent, suggesting a more official process.

sway

Suggests influencing someone's decision or opinion, often through emotional appeals.

garner favor

Implies attracting goodwill or positive regard, a less direct approach than winning someone over through argument.

influence

Highlights the power to affect someone's thoughts or actions, a broader term than direct persuasion.

convert

Focuses on a complete change in belief or allegiance, often in a religious or ideological context.

FAQs

How do you use "win over" in a sentence?

You can use "win over" to describe the act of persuading someone to support you or agree with your ideas. For example, "The politician hoped to win over undecided voters with their compelling speech."

What can I say instead of "win over"?

You can use alternatives like "persuade", "convince", or "gain support" depending on the context.

Is it better to "win over" or "influence" someone?

The choice between "win over" and "influence" depends on your goal. "Win over" implies a direct effort to gain support or agreement, while "influence" suggests a more subtle and indirect approach.

What's the difference between "win over" and "convince"?

"Convince" focuses on changing someone's mind through logic or evidence, while "win over" encompasses a broader range of strategies, including charm and emotional appeals, to gain someone's favor or support.