*sigh* - Into the fray again ...
TEd said:
I can say I persuaded you to do something, or I coerced you to do something, but technically speaking convince should not be followed by an infinitive.Two things -
1. Usage changes. I personally agree with your comments here. I would say "I convinced Bingley that his adherence to the heretical creed of Itzenism was counter to the attitude of every right-thinking Boarder".
2. Others (not I) would see absolutely nothing wrong with me having said "I convinced Bingley to give up attending the High Temple of Itzenism because his adherence to the creed ... yadda, yadda".
We're back to what is technically correct and what is common usage.
Just remember that in experimental biology that even given a perfect environment of heat, nutrition, water and other life-related factors, the organism will do as it damned well pleases. Language is such an organism!
