convince
Definitions
To make someone believe that something is true
使某人相信；使确信
To persuade someone to do something
说服某人做某事
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcon- (thoroughly) + vincere (conquer) = to thoroughly conquer someone's doubts. The Romans treated winning an argument as a kind of victory: you don't force the other person, you overpower their objections with reasons until they have to agree.
Root vinc still carries 31 more wordsUsage Guide
Watch the prepositions: 'convince someone OF something' (a fact) and 'convince someone TO do something' (an action). In careful writing, 'persuade to do' is sometimes preferred over 'convince to do,' but 'convince to' is now standard in everyday English.
Example Sentences
- 1.
It took hours to convince her that the plan would actually work.
- 2.
Nothing you say will convince me to change my mind.
- 3.
The evidence was strong enough to convince even the skeptics.
Easily Confused
convince vs persuade — convince targets belief (make someone think something is true); persuade targets action (make someone do something). 'I convinced her I was right' but 'I persuaded her to come.' In practice they overlap heavily, but if the goal is changing a mind, lean convince; if it's changing behavior, lean persuade.