Convince and persuade

People probably disagree, but technically I believe you can persuade someone to do something, but you cannot convince someone to do something.

You can persuade someone that something is true, and you can convince someone that something is true.

She persuaded me to join the church. Not, She convinced me to join the church - although many people sa

Well, come to think of it, we say "She convinced me of her innocence," and "She convinced me that she was innocent."

And we say "She persuaded me that she was innocent," but we don't say "She persuaded me of her innocence."

So, "She convinced me of her innocence." Not, "She persuaded me of her innocence." - although people may say it.

Maybe I'm off base, but it seems to me that "to convince" is more about talking some around to your point of view through appealing to their reason, without resorting to violence

"to persuade" on the other hand might suggest more "violent" methods of chaning someone's standpoint.

Hence we have a "persuader" - a shotgun (Mossberg)

I agree with you, Mr. Pernickety.

According to my Am. Htg., "to convince" is to cause someone to believe. I don't know if waterboarding makes true believers, but I doubt it.

"To persuade" is to cause them to do something. They don't have to be believers.

(Sorry for any perceived political incorrectness.)

Note that "persuade" can also mean "to convince someone that your view is correct."