a decisive influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"a decisive influence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that has a strong, meaningful or significant effect on the outcome of something. You can use it when describing the effects of a person or thing on a particular situation or event. For example: "The new policy had a decisive influence on the outcome of the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Langa sees Moeketsi as a decisive influence.

The Guardian - Music

The association proved to be a decisive influence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pope may well have a decisive influence upon the 2016 race for the White House.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Springs environment had a decisive influence on Mr. Nivola's career.

The New York Times

In this Loos has had a decisive influence on the destiny of architecture".

The New York Times

A century later, his ideas had a decisive influence on America's founding fathers.

The Economist

She was never able, however, to exercise a decisive influence on the new party.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fischer's country house designs had a decisive influence on the architects of his time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although the Lennon-McCartney composing team always held center stage, Mr. Harrison had a decisive influence on the Beatles' sound.

The New York Times - Arts

But it was Spain, McFeely contends, that "held the key to Eakins' greatest paintings," with Velázquez proving a decisive influence.

The New York Times

Sneering at Mr. McCain in the news media was obviously not a decisive influence on primary voting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decisive influence" when you want to emphasize that something played a key role in shaping an outcome or direction. Be sure the context supports a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive influence" if the effect was only partial or contributory. Reserve this phrase for situations where the impact was truly significant and consequential, or you risk overstating its importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive influence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signifies something that plays a crucial role in determining an outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decisive influence" is a common phrase used to convey that something has a significant impact on a particular situation or outcome. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context accurately reflects the magnitude of influence to avoid overstatement. Consider alternative phrases like "significant impact" or "pivotal role" to fine-tune the intended meaning. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's usage across authoritative sources, confirming its reliability in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a definitive influence

Replaces "decisive" with "definitive", suggesting a conclusive and authoritative impact.

a determining influence

Emphasizes the power to decide or control an outcome.

a significant impact

Substitutes "influence" with "impact", focusing on the measurable effect.

a considerable effect

Focuses on the extent and magnitude of the effect.

a substantial impact

Stresses the large size or importance of the impact.

a pivotal role

Changes the structure to emphasize the importance of the role played.

a transformative impact

Highlights the ability to cause a significant change or alteration.

a game-changing influence

Implies the phrase fundamentally alters the dynamics or outcome.

a major factor

Shifts the focus to identifying the phrase as one of the key contributing elements.

a crucial element

Highlights the necessity and indispensability of the subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decisive influence" to describe something that significantly affected an outcome. For example: "The new evidence had "a decisive influence" on the jury's verdict."

What are some alternatives to "a decisive influence"?

Alternatives include "a significant impact", "a pivotal role", or "a major factor" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "decisive influence" or "significant influence"?

"Decisive influence" suggests a more definitive and game-changing effect, while "significant influence" indicates a notable but potentially less impactful effect. The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of impact you want to emphasize.

Can "a decisive influence" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "a decisive influence" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a clear and professional way to express that something had a critical impact on an outcome or situation. However, always consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.