Learn advanced English verbs for persuading.
This English lesson is useful for students studying for IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, and other English proficiency exams, as well as those looking to improve their written and spoken English.
Learn how to use advanced English verbs in a sentence. Advanced English vocabulary for daily life, essays and conversations. Formal and informal verbs.
Listen to the podcast Speak Better English with Harry or watch it on YouTube at Learn English with Harry. englishclass101
List of Advanced English verbs
Advanced English verbs for persuading
Harry
So what are we going to talk to you about today?
Well, I thought we talk about advanced English verbs and verbs relating to persuading.
So when we want to persuade somebody, it’s about getting them to change their mind.
Get them to do something that you want them to do, even though they want to do something else.
Generally, get them to have a shift in their particular opinion.
improve english on a budget
Online English Courses from €7.99
to brainwash
Meaning: to change someone’s beliefs or way of thinking by using strong pressure or influence
Examples:
If you fell into the wrong hands of the enemy, they would try to brainwash you.
Anakin Skywalker was brainwashed by Emperor Palpatine into believing the Jedi were his enemies.
After years at the company, she was brainwashed into believing their way was the only way to succeed.
to bring somebody around
Meaning: to persuade someone to agree with you or accept your point of view
Examples:
He didn’t like the idea at first, but we managed to bring him around to our way of thinking.
It took some convincing, but he eventually brought his parents around to letting him study abroad.
Advanced English verbs for persuading
to butter somebody up
Meaning: to flatter or praise someone excessively, often to gain their favour or get something from them
Examples:
He’s just buttering up the boss so he can get a promotion.
She tried to butter me up with compliments before asking for a favour.
to fob someone off
Meaning: to keep dismissing someone’s concerns with insincere or misleading answers to avoid addressing their arguments
Examples:
He tried to fob me off by saying, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’ll call you back later,’ but I knew he wasn’t really going to.
When I asked for a better deal, the salesman fobbed me off with promises of future discounts.
She kept fobbing me off with excuses instead of addressing my concerns directly.
book your trial English Lesson
to cajole
/kəˈdʒəʊl/
Meaning: to persuade someone by being kind, flattering them, or gently convincing them
Examples:
She cajoled her friend into helping her with the shelf, saying, ‘Come on, you’re great at DIY!’
She cajoled her father into buying a kitten by promising to care for it.
to wheedle sth out of sb
Meaning: to get something by being very nice, flattering, or gently persuading someone
Examples:
He eventually wheedled the truth out of her with some clever questions.
She was quite successful in wheedling the details out of her daughter.
to hustle
/ˈhʌs.əl/
Meaning: dishonest or manipulative behaviour to gain something, like money
Examples:
The car salesman hustled him into buying a more expensive model with clever tactics.
The street vendor hustled tourists into paying double for souvenirs.
to talk sb into sth
Meaning: to persuade or convince someone to do something
Example:
She talked him into going to the party even though he didn’t feel like it.
She talked her husband into booking the holiday he’d been putting off for months.
Advanced English verbs for persuading
to urge
Meaning: to strongly encourage or persuade someone to do something
Examples:
I really urge you to consider taking this opportunity—it could change your life.
Can I urge you, please, to give this proposal your full attention as it’s crucial for the project’s success?
I really urge you to put in a bit of extra effort during these last few months of the term. It will pay off.
to rope sb into sth
Meaning: to persuade or involve someone in an activity or task
Examples:
I was roped into helping with the club’s fundraising event, and it turned out to be a lot of fun!
I got roped into training the kids at the club because they were short on volunteers.
Okay, so they’re all verbs and expressions related to persuading, getting somebody to do what you want them to do.
So let me give them to you one more time:
- to brainwash
- to bring somebody around
- to butter somebody up
- to fob sb off
- to cajole
- to wheedle
- to hustle
- to talk sb into sth
- to urge
- to rope sb in
Okay, excellent.
So all of those verbs are advanced English verbs related to persuading.
Try a few of them, and see, if you can introduce them into your English speaking and writing.
Try not to use them all, of course, but try and use a few, and write about them.
And if you have any problems, you can contact me any time.
Don’t forget to check online English lessons with native teachers and book your trial lesson.
Thanks for listening and watching. Join me again soon.
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 510
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Advanced Collocations to describe Sounds
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
You will love these English lessons
14 Ways To Say I Love You In English
Learn ways to say I love you in English. Different ways in which you can describe your feelings in English.
Adjectives that Describe People and Personality
Here you will learn 33 English adjectives that describe people and personality. I help you learn English words that describe
Other Words for Hungry in English
Learn other words for hungry in English. In the video lesson below I give you 5 alternative words instead of