Quick answer: Convince means to make someone believe something is true. Persuade means to get someone to do something. The key grammar clue: convince is followed by that or of (belief); persuade is followed by to + infinitive (action). For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘convince’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Targets | Grammar Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| convince | beliefs / opinions | convince + that / of | She convinced me that the plan would work. |
| persuade | actions / behaviour | persuade + to + infinitive | He persuaded me to join the team. |
Using Convince
Convince means to make someone fully believe that something is true or valid. It changes their mind, their opinion, or their understanding. The typical grammar pattern is convince someone that … or convince someone of something.
She convinced me that the plan would work.
I couldn’t convince her of his innocence.
The data convinced the committee that changes were needed.
Convince + of + noun
When followed by “of”, convince takes a noun or noun phrase — not a verb.
He convinced us of his sincerity.
Nothing could convince him of her guilt.
He convinced us of to try. (incorrect — use persuade + to)
Using Persuade
Persuade means to cause someone to do something through argument, reasoning, or appeal. It leads to an action, not just a belief. The typical grammar pattern is persuade someone to do something.
He persuaded me to join the team.
They persuaded us to stay for dinner.
She persuaded the board to approve the budget.
Persuade + that (less common)
Persuade can occasionally be followed by that, but this is much less frequent than with convince and usually overlaps in meaning with convince.
He persuaded me that the risk was acceptable. (also: convinced)
They persuaded the jury that the defendant was innocent.
Common Mistakes
✗ She convinced me to apply. (widely used informally, but traditionally incorrect)
✓ She persuaded me to apply. (correct in formal/academic English)
Tip: if there is an action (apply, go, stay, leave), use persuade.
✗ He persuaded me of his innocence. (unusual; convince fits better here)
✓ He convinced me of his innocence. (changing a belief, not triggering an action)
✗ I convinced him going. (missing “that” or “of”)
✓ I convinced him that going was the right choice.
✓ I persuaded him to go.
Tips to Remember the Difference
- Convince = belief. Think of conviction (a strong belief). Convince produces a conviction in someone’s mind.
- Persuade = action. Think of persuasion leading to movement — someone is moved to act.
- Grammar shortcut: if you can add “to do something” after it, use persuade. If you use “that” or “of”, use convince.
- In formal English: She persuaded me to go (not convinced me to go). In informal speech both are heard, but exams expect the distinction.
Also confusing: Accept vs Receive, Advise vs Advice, Allow vs Let. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Convince or Persuade?
Four fill-in-the-blank questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “She ___ me that the project was viable.”
2. “He ___ me to apply for the job.”
3. “Nothing could ___ him of her guilt.”
4. “They ___ the committee to reconsider.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between convince and persuade?
Convince means to make someone believe something is true — it changes their mind or opinion. Persuade means to get someone to do something — it changes their behaviour. The key structural difference is that convince is followed by “that” or “of”, while persuade is followed by “to + infinitive”.
Can convince be followed by an infinitive?
In standard grammar, convince is not followed by “to + infinitive”. You convince someone that something is true or convince someone of something. However, in informal American English, “I convinced her to go” is increasingly common, though many teachers still prefer “I persuaded her to go”.
Can persuade be followed by “that”?
Yes, persuade can be followed by “that” in some contexts: “He persuaded me that the plan was sound.” However, this usage is less common than “convince + that”. The most typical pattern for persuade is “persuade + object + to + infinitive”.
Is convince stronger than persuade?
Not necessarily stronger, but they work differently. Convince targets the intellect or beliefs — you convince someone of a fact. Persuade targets the will or behaviour — you persuade someone to take action. Both can involve significant effort.
What does “convince someone of something” mean?
“Convince someone of something” means to make them fully believe in that thing. For example: “The evidence convinced the jury of his guilt” means the jury came to believe he was guilty. “Of” is followed by a noun or noun phrase.
What is the noun form of convince and persuade?
The noun form of convince is conviction (a firmly held belief). The noun form of persuade is persuasion (the act of persuading). For example: “She spoke with great conviction” and “It took a lot of persuasion to get him to agree”.
Can you use convince and persuade in the same sentence?
Yes, and doing so can clarify the two stages: “He convinced me that the plan was viable and then persuaded me to invest in it.” Here, convince handles the belief and persuade handles the resulting action.
How do convince and persuade appear in IELTS writing?
In IELTS, convince often appears in discussions of opinion or argument (“to convince the reader that…”), while persuade appears in essays about influence or change (“governments should persuade citizens to…”). Mixing up the two can lower your lexical resource score.
Is “I convinced him to leave” correct?
This is widely used in informal speech, especially in American English, but traditionally “I persuaded him to leave” is considered more precise because the action (leaving) follows from persuade, not convince. In formal or academic writing, prefer “persuade + to infinitive” for actions.
What is the adjective form of convince?
The adjective forms are convincing (able to convince: “a convincing argument”) and convinced (having been convinced: “I am convinced she is right”). The adjective form of persuade is persuasive (“a persuasive speaker”) or persuaded (“I am persuaded that he is telling the truth”).