The spelling of the phrase "prevailed upon" can be quite confusing, especially when it comes to the pronunciation of the word "upon." The correct pronunciation of "upon" is /əˈpɒn/ or uh-pon, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The word "prevailed" is pronounced as /prɪˈveɪld/ or pri-veyld, with the stress on the second syllable. Overall, the phrase means to persuade or convince someone to do something, often against their will.
"Prevailed upon" is a phrasal verb that means to convince or persuade someone to do something against their initial inclination or resistance. It implies exerting influence or pressure over someone to change their mind or take a certain course of action.
When someone is "prevailed upon," another person, often through reasoning, negotiation, or emotional appeal, manages to sway their opinion or decision. It suggests an act of persuasion achieved through persistence, compelling arguments, or the demonstration of the benefits or consequences of a particular choice.
The expression "prevailed upon" emphasizes that the person being influenced initially had reservations or held a different view, but eventually succumbed to the persuader's efforts. It conveys a sense of achieving a desired outcome by convincing someone to align with a particular position or action.
For example, a friend may be hesitant to lend money, but after being prevailed upon, they agree to assist in a time of need. Similarly, a student may be reluctant to participate in a challenging extracurricular activity, but their parents manage to prevail upon them to do it, recognizing the long-term benefits.
Overall, "prevailed upon" denotes the success of one party in changing another's mind or persuading them to act contrary to their initial inclination, employing various strategies to achieve the desired result.
The phrase "prevailed upon" is derived from the Middle English word "prevaylen", which originated from the Old French word "prevaloir". The word "prevaloir" came from the Latin "praevalere", where "prae-" means "before" and "valere" means "to be strong" or "to have power". Over time, "prevailed upon" has evolved to its current usage, meaning to persuade someone or be successful in convincing them.