Cool MateI'm not convinced vs Skeptical
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I'm not convinced
Top 2,000 (common)
Skeptical
Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective
| I'm not convinced | Skeptical | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aɪm nɒt kənˈvɪnst//🇺🇸 //aɪm nɑt kənˈvɪnst// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈskeptɪkl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈskeptɪkl/"]/ |
| Meaning | I don't believe or agree | Not easily believing something; doubtful. |
| Example | After hearing the explanation, I'm not convinced it will work. | I am skeptical about his chances of winning. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | not convinced by something, still not convinced, not fully convinced | skeptical attitude, skeptical of claims, skeptical view, skeptical nature |
| Antonyms | - | trusting, believing, confident |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'I'm not sure' - 'convinced' means disbelief, while 'sure' indicates uncertainty., Overusing in friendly contexts - can sound too serious if used lightly. | Confusing with 'cynical', which is more about distrust of people's motives., Using 'skeptical' without following it with 'of' or 'about'., Overusing in contexts where simple doubt isn't implied. |
| Usage notes | Use when expressing doubt or skepticism. It's appropriate in both casual and serious conversations. | Use 'skeptical' when conveying doubt or disbelief in a situation. It's appropriate in both casual and professional contexts but may sound overly formal in very casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: I'm not convinced vs Skeptical
What's the difference between I'm not convinced and Skeptical?
I'm not convinced: I don't believe or agree Skeptical: Not easily believing something; doubtful.
Can you show an example of each?
I'm not convinced: After hearing the explanation, I'm not convinced it will work. Skeptical: I am skeptical about his chances of winning.
Can I use I'm not convinced and Skeptical interchangeably?
Not always. I'm not convinced and Skeptical are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.