What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
persuade
Example
I tried to persuade my friend to come with me to the concert. [persuade: verb]
Example
The politician's speech was meant to persuade voters to support his campaign. [persuade: verb]
sway
Example
The emotional story swayed the jury's decision in favor of the defendant. [swayed: past tense]
Example
The wind caused the trees to sway back and forth. [sway: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Persuade is more commonly used than sway in everyday language. Persuade is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sway is less common and refers to a more specific type of influence.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between persuade and sway?
Persuade is typically associated with a more formal tone, while sway can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but may have a negative connotation in some situations.
