persuade someone to + verb
Causing someone to act
This is the basic structure with persuade.
I persuaded her to apply for the job.
Persuade with different prepositions
Persuade is usually followed directly by an object and infinitive. Some prepositions appear in specific patterns such as persuade someone of something.
Quick answer
How is persuade normally used?
The most common patterns are persuade someone to do something and persuade someone of something. Persuade by usually introduces a method. Persuade against is also used. Persuade at and persuade in are generally not standard combinations.
She persuaded him of her innocence.
They persuaded us against making a quick decision.
They persuaded us against making a quick decision.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
persuade someone of + fact
Changing someone's belief
Use of before the thing accepted as true.
The evidence persuaded me of his honesty.
persuade someone by + method
Showing how persuasion happened
By introduces the means or argument used.
They persuaded the voters by focusing on healthcare.
persuade someone against + action
Stopping an action
Against introduces an action someone decides not to do.
She persuaded him against selling the house.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
persuade of
He persuaded me of the risks.
convince someone that something is true
persuade by
They persuaded customers by offering free trials.
show the method of persuasion
persuade against
We persuaded her against quitting.
convince someone not to do something
persuade in
Incorrect: They persuaded him in the plan.
Not a standard complement after persuade
persuade at
Incorrect: She persuaded him at leaving.
Not idiomatic after persuade
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Adding an unnecessary preposition
Persuade often takes a direct object and infinitive.
✕ She persuaded to stay. ✓ She persuaded him to stay.Using persuade in
Use persuade someone of something or persuade someone to do something.
✕ They persuaded us in their idea. ✓ They persuaded us of their idea.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The lawyer persuaded the jury ___ his client's innocence.
2. She persuaded me ___ apply.
3. They persuaded him ___ resigning immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
Can persuade be used without an object?
Usually persuade needs an object, such as persuade someone to act.
Is persuade in correct?
Not as a standard complement. Use persuade of or persuade to instead.
What is the difference between persuade of and persuade to?
Persuade of changes belief, while persuade to leads to an action.
Related preposition guides
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