a big influence on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big influence on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the impact or effect that someone or something has on another person or situation. Example: "Her mentorship was a big influence on my decision to pursue a career in science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This had a big influence on me.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He was a big influence on me.

Princeton University

They were a big influence on me".

The Guardian - Sport

He had a big influence on the whole story.

Harvard University

Q: What courses had a big influence on you?

Harvard University

Therefore, they have a big influence on lowering system availability.

Procedia Engineering

My family was such a big influence on me.

The New Yorker

Showrunners also have a big influence on casting.

Independent

Yes, Lartigue was a big influence on him.

The New York Times

"Paul was a big influence on me," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

'My father was a big influence on me,' he says.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big influence on", ensure the subject of influence is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who or what was influenced by the subject in question.

Common error

Avoid using "a big influence on" with overly abstract nouns that lack clear reference points. Instead of saying "It had a big influence on success", specify what aspect of success was affected or rephrase to provide more clarity, such as "It had a big influence on the success of the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big influence on" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating something or someone has significantly affected another. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its role in describing impact and effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

9%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big influence on" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express significant impact or effect. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile and appears in various contexts, including news, academia, and science. When writing, ensure the subject of influence is clearly defined. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, while alternatives like "a significant impact on" or "instrumental in" can add nuance depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impact on

Replaces "influence" with "impact", focusing on the effect created. It alters the word choice while maintaining a similar connotation of importance.

a major effect on

Substitutes "influence" with "effect", emphasizing the result or outcome. This alternative maintains the emphasis on a considerable impact.

a considerable influence on

Replaces "big" with "considerable", indicating that the influence is worth regarding or respecting. It emphasizes the significance of the influence.

a profound effect on

Uses "profound" to highlight the depth and intensity of the effect. This suggests a deep and lasting impact.

a substantial effect on

Emphasizes the tangibility and amount of change caused, where "substantial" means considerable in size, number, or degree.

a strong effect on

Replaces "big" with "strong", highlighting the intensity of the influence. This indicates a powerful and noticeable effect.

a key factor in

Frames the influence as a crucial element contributing to a particular outcome. This shifts the focus to the importance of the element within a larger context.

instrumental in

Indicates that something was crucial or vital for achieving a particular result, highlighting its role as an essential tool or means.

a driving force behind

Suggests a powerful force that propels or motivates an action or decision, shifting the focus to the impetus provided.

played a pivotal role in

Emphasizes that something had a crucial or decisive part in the outcome, stressing its centrality to what occurred.

FAQs

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

Use "a big influence on" to describe something or someone that has significantly affected another person, thing, or situation. For example: "His father was "a big influence on" his career choice".

What's the difference between "a big influence on" and "a significant impact on"?

While both phrases convey importance, ""a big influence on"" suggests a guiding or shaping power, whereas "a significant impact on" emphasizes the measurable effect or outcome. They are often interchangeable, but "influence" carries a sense of guidance.

What are some alternatives to using "a big influence on"?

You can use alternatives like "a major effect on", "a significant impact on", or "instrumental in" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "had a big influence to" instead of "had a big influence on"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use with "influence" in this context is "on". The phrase should always be "had "a big influence on"".