Convincing changes someone’s belief or leads them to act.

The idea

Use convince someone that before a statement and convince someone to before an action. The past is convinced.

Examples

  • The evidence convinced Mira that the bridge was safe.
  • We convinced our neighbours to plant a tree.
  • Can you convince Leo that the train stops here?
  • The guide convinced us to leave before sunrise.
  • Her explanation did not convince the committee.
  • I am convinced that this key opens the gate.

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Watch out

Do not use an infinitive directly after the verb without the person: say convince us to leave.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct answer. The photo convinced me ___ the story was true. (that / to)

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    that

    that introduces what the photo made me believe.

  2. Choose the correct answer. Nora convinced us ___ take the earlier bus. (to / that)

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    to

    to connects the people with the action of taking the bus.

  3. Choose the correct answer. The figures ___ the board yesterday. (convinced / convince)

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    convinced

    convinced fits the completed event yesterday.

Use it today

Describe an occasion when evidence changed someone’s mind.