convince, so that

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

I have two questions to ask:

No.1
We tried to _____ them to take our advice, but all our efforts were in vain.
a. persuade b. convince
The key is 'a'. Could you please kindly explain why 'b' isn't correct?

No.2
"so", "and" , "so that" and "so....as to "are ways to expressing "result". I think "so....as to" suggests something that is going to happen and have a result. I get confused by the other three. It seems "and "and "so" suggest a result that immediately follows an act. "so...that" suggests something happened to such an extend a result followed. Please read the following sentence:

The man was so tired that he could hardly put one foot before the other.
Could you please explain if the following changes are correct:
1. The man was tired and he could hardly put one foot before the other.
2. The man was tired so he could hardly put one foot before the other.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

 

[sarat_106]

Dear teachers,

I have two questions to ask:
No.1
We tried to _____ them to take our advice, but all our efforts were in vain.
a. persuade b. convince
The key is 'a'. Could you please kindly explain why 'b' isn't correct?
A person is convinced by evidence or argument made to the intellect, where as a person is persuaded by appeals made to the will, moral sense, or emotions. Here you appealed them to take your advice and did not try to change their thoughts or believes.

No.2
"so", "and" , "so that" and "so....as to "are ways to expressing "result". I think "so....as to" suggests something that is going to happen and have a result. I get confused by the other three. It seems "and "and "so" suggest a result that immediately follows an act. "so...that" suggests something happened to such an extend a result followed. Please read the following sentence:

The man was so tired that he could hardly put one foot before the other.
Could you please explain if the following changes are correct:
1. The man was tired and he could hardly put one foot before the other.
2. The man was tired so he could hardly put one foot before the other.
They are grammatical without emphasizing the degree of tiredness which leads to the result. You can not be immobile simply because you are tired.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

Skp

 

[tedtmc]

To convince is to change someone’s mind; to persuade is to move someone to action.
Convince is a stronger word than persuade though the difference is subtle.
'Persuade' is more apt in the sentence.

not a teacher