a big influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has a significant impact on a person, situation, or outcome. Example: "Her mentor was a big influence on her decision to pursue a career in medicine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a big influence.

The New York Times - Arts

Football is a big influence.

Independent

It's had a big influence.

The New York Times

My parents were a big influence, too.

The New York Times

This had a big influence on me.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was a big influence.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Jeeves was a big influence".

The Guardian - Books

They were a big influence".

The Guardian - Music

Is she a big influence?

The Guardian

Is Piero Della Frencesca a big influence?

Yale University

"He was a big influence on me.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a big influence", be specific about who or what is being influenced. Providing context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of influence without providing supporting evidence. Instead of simply stating "X was a big influence", offer specific examples of how X impacted the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big influence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something or someone that has a considerable impact on another entity or situation. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, reinforcing its role in denoting significant effects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

28%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big influence" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant impact across various contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Predominantly found in news, media, and academic sources, the phrase serves to highlight the importance of an entity in shaping outcomes or decisions. Alternatives such as "a major influence" or "a significant impact" can be used for nuanced expression. When employing this phrase, ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity and provide substantive examples to support the claim of influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant influence

Replaces "big" with "significant", indicating a notable impact, though perhaps less emphatic.

a major influence

Substitutes "big" with "major", suggesting a more considerable or important effect.

a considerable influence

Replaces "big" with "considerable", implying a substantial and worthy-of-attention impact.

a profound influence

Substitutes "big" with "profound", indicating a deep and far-reaching effect.

a substantial influence

Replaces "big" with "substantial", suggesting a large and significant impact.

a strong influence

Emphasizes the intensity of the influence, suggesting a powerful effect.

a key influence

Highlights the importance of the influence, indicating it is crucial or essential.

a dominant influence

Suggests the influence is the most powerful or controlling one.

a formative influence

Indicates the influence played a significant role in shaping someone or something.

a weighty influence

Implies the influence carries considerable importance and impact.

FAQs

How can I use "a big influence" in a sentence?

Use "a big influence" to describe someone or something that significantly affects a person, decision, or outcome. For example, "Mentors can have "a big influence" on career paths."

What are some alternatives to saying "a big influence"?

You can use alternatives like "a major impact", "a significant effect", or "a strong impact" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a big influence"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in both written and spoken English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples.

What's the difference between ""a big influence"" and "a major influence"?

While both convey a significant impact, "a major influence" often suggests a more substantial or critical effect than ""a big influence"", although they are often interchangeable.