a formidable influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has a strong and powerful effect on a person, group, or situation. Example: "Her leadership style has been a formidable influence on the team's success, inspiring everyone to strive for excellence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

After her death, Evita remained a formidable influence in Argentine politics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Grass-roots pressure from such groups is a formidable influence on Congress.

The New York Times

The church continued to grow in wealth and prestige, becoming a formidable influence in Philippine politics by encouraging its members to vote in elections.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Through Jan . 14As painting lost prestige in the '60s, a cult of Orpheus emerged to become a formidable influence on visual art.

The New York Times - Arts

The Declaration of Independence was just a one-page document explaining why 13 colonies felt the need to rebel, but it became a formidable influence and is still being celebrated.

The New York Times - Arts

In 1991, in response to liturgical disputes and concerns that Ikeda Daiseku, Sōka-gakkai's leader, had gained a formidable influence among the organization's lay membership, the Nichiren-shō-shū priesthood excommunicated Sōka-gakkai, barring members from Nichiren-shō-shū temples and functions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Prune quickly morphed from adorable notion into formidable influence, a small restaurant with a large footprint.

The New York Times - Food

And splitting the Peronist vote might give a chance to the opposition.Mr Kirchner has amassed formidable influence over Argentina's courts, media, legislature and provincial governors.

The Economist

But Mr. Mehta is a take-charge type who will surely exert his formidable influence on overall policies and programming.

The New York Times - Arts

That the legislation was passed by the House on a voice vote and was opposed by only one senator -- Ernest F. Hollings, a South Carolina Democrat who is a longtime job protectionist -- underscored the technology industry's formidable influence on Capitol Hill.

The New York Times

She gained formidable influence during the Republican-dominated 1980s.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a formidable influence" to emphasize the considerable power and effect someone or something has on a situation, person, or group. This phrase is particularly useful when describing impactful figures or events.

Common error

Avoid using "formidable" too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact. Instead, consider varying your language with synonyms like "powerful", "significant", or "strong" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable influence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes an entity that exerts significant power or impact. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a formidable influence" effectively conveys a strong and significant impact, as Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral register suitable for objective reporting and analytical discussions. While several alternatives exist, such as "a significant impact" or "a powerful force", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, remember that overuse of "formidable" can diminish its impact, so vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong impact

Replaces 'formidable' with 'strong', indicating force but less magnitude.

a significant impact

Replaces 'formidable influence' with a more general term for impact, lessening the sense of power.

a profound effect

Emphasizes depth and importance of the influence.

a considerable effect

Similar to 'significant impact' but can be seen as more moderate in intensity.

a powerful force

Focuses on the strength and capacity to cause change, rather than the act of influencing.

a driving force

Implies a proactive and energetic influence, emphasizing momentum and direction.

a major factor

Highlights the importance of something in contributing to a result, differing from direct influence.

a substantial impression

Refers to leaving a lasting impact.

a telling effect

Highlights that the impact is noticeable and revealing.

a decisive element

Stresses the importance of something in determining an outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "a formidable influence" to describe someone or something that has a strong and powerful effect, such as, "Her work ethic was "a formidable influence" on the team's performance".

What are some alternatives to "a formidable influence"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "a formidable influence" include "a significant impact", "a powerful force", or "a major factor".

Is it better to say "formidable influence" or "strong influence"?

"Formidable influence" suggests a more overwhelming and powerful effect compared to "strong influence". The best choice depends on the degree of impact you want to convey.

What does it mean to be "a formidable influence"?

To be "a formidable influence" means to have a strong and considerable impact on someone or something, often inspiring respect or even awe due to the power of that influence.