Maintain influence over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Maintain influence over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability to affect or control someone or something, often in a social, political, or organizational context. Example: "The manager aims to maintain influence over the team's decision-making process to ensure alignment with company goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Others argue he is playing a game of "psychological jujitsu", to maintain influence over his successor.

The Guardian

The Kurds are also seeking to maintain influence over a number of other disputed areas along their border with the rest of Iraq.

The New York Times

Pakistan has also long tried to maintain influence over Afghanistan's largest ethnic group, the Pashtuns, because of its wariness of its own Pashtun minority in the border areas.

The New York Times

The Russian military action in Georgia, which erupted a week ago, underscored the Kremlin's determination to maintain influence over other former Soviet republics and ward off expansion of NATO, which Georgia wants to join.

The New York Times

Television advertisers are fighting to maintain influence over consumers who are used to receiving a range of targeted advertising responses each time they place a keyword search into Google.

Independent

The proposals have yet to be agreed, but the group's board structure would incorporate a seat for the council in return for a long-term lease on the land, giving Lewisham a route to maintain influence over its use in perpetuity, while providing the trust with a means to raise cash by having something to borrow against, rather than relying on council subsidy.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Catholic diocese, which maintains influence over many immigrant populations, holds Masses each year on Columbus Day in the explorer's honor.

The New Yorker

Pakistan has a crucial role in the Afghan peace process because it maintains influence over several Taliban groups that are fighting inside Afghanistan against United States and NATO forces, and it has shown no inclination of loosening its leverage.

The New York Times

It is possible that Pakistan will decide that it's worth maintaining influence over the Taliban, whatever the cost.

BBC

The Ministry of Health maintains influence over the health system by mandating local authorities to provide a minimum package of services (Standard Pelayanan Minimal or SPM) to their population.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Washington has not acquiesced to Russia's efforts to exert control over Ukraine, with Moscow's attempts to maintain influence throughout the former Soviet Union one of its main foreign policy goals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Maintain influence over", consider the specific type of influence being maintained (e.g., political, economic, social) to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the extent of influence. Use precise language to accurately represent the level of control or impact being maintained, as misrepresentation can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Maintain influence over" functions as a verb phrase, describing the act of sustaining or preserving the ability to affect the actions, decisions, or character of someone or something. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Maintain influence over" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the effort to preserve control or authority. According to Ludwig, the expression is valid and usable in written English. While the phrase appears in various contexts, it is more commonly found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, it's crucial to consider the type of influence being maintained and to avoid overstating the degree of control. Alternatives such as "retain control over" or "preserve authority over" can offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Retain control over

Focuses specifically on keeping control, implying a pre-existing state of authority.

Preserve authority over

Emphasizes the preservation of formal power or command.

Sustain sway over

Highlights the act of keeping a persuasive influence.

Keep a grip on

Suggests a firm hold or control, often in a challenging situation.

Exercise leverage over

Focuses on using a strategic advantage to maintain influence.

Exert power over

Highlights the active use of power to influence.

Have control over

States a general condition of having control.

Command influence over

Emphasizes a high degree of influence, as if by right.

Retain a hold on

Similar to "keep a grip on", but slightly less forceful.

Keep in check

Implies a controlling influence that prevents something from escalating or going awry.

FAQs

How can I use "Maintain influence over" in a sentence?

You can use "Maintain influence over" to describe efforts to retain control or impact. For example, "The organization seeks to maintain influence over policy decisions".

What are some alternatives to "Maintain influence over"?

Alternatives include "retain control over", "preserve authority over", or "sustain sway over".

Is there a difference between "Maintain influence over" and "Exert influence over"?

"Maintain influence over" suggests keeping existing influence, while "Exert influence over" implies actively applying influence to achieve a specific outcome.

What's the difference between "Maintain influence over" and "Have influence over"?

"Maintain influence over" focuses on the effort to preserve existing power or control, whereas "Have influence over" simply indicates the presence of influence without emphasizing its preservation.