a great influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great influence" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a variety of contexts, depending on the specific message you wish to convey. For example, "J.K. Rowling has been a great influence on young readers everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nick was a great influence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Bucky was a great influence," says Grimshaw.

The Guardian - Arts

So that had a great influence.

The Guardian - Film

"He's a great influence on young pros.

Independent

"He's always been a great influence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He had a great influence on her.

The Guardian - Arts

So, certainly, he had a great influence on me.

University of California, Berkeley

"He does have a great influence on me," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Musical theater was also a great influence on me.

The New York Times

'Jimmy Baldwin was a great influence on me.

The Guardian - Film

They have been a great influence in my career".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing someone who significantly shaped your values or career, using "a great influence" effectively communicates the depth and breadth of their impact. For example, "My mentor was a great influence on my decision to pursue medicine".

Common error

Avoid using "affect" when you mean "influence". "Affect" is typically a verb, while "influence" is often a noun. For example, instead of saying "His words had a great affect on me", say "His words had a great influence on me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great influence" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing someone or something that has exerted a significant effect, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis of numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great influence" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile expression used to describe the significant impact of someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. Related phrases such as ""a major influence"" or ""a profound effect"" can be used to add nuance. When writing, remember that "influence" (typically a noun) differs from "affect" (typically a verb). With its neutral register and high frequency, "a great influence" remains a valuable tool for clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A sizeable influence

Replaces "great" with "sizeable", indicating a considerable but not necessarily overwhelming impact.

A tremendous influence

Substitutes "great" with "tremendous", suggesting a very strong or significant effect.

A major influence

Replaces "great" with "major", highlighting the importance or significance of the influence.

A profound influence

Substitutes "great" with "profound", emphasizing the depth and pervasiveness of the influence.

A significant influence

Replaces "great" with "significant", indicating a notable or important impact.

A considerable influence

Substitutes "great" with "considerable", indicating an influence that is worth taking into account.

A substantial influence

Replaces "great" with "substantial", showing that the influence has a strong material existence.

A powerful influence

Substitutes "great" with "powerful", pointing out that the influence can produce great effects.

A dominant influence

Replaces "great" with "dominant", conveying the idea that the influence is prevailing.

A formative influence

Substitutes "great" with "formative", highlighting the fact that the influence has a crucial effect on development.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great influence" to describe someone or something that has significantly impacted a person, idea, or outcome. For example, "Classical music was "a great influence" on her compositions".

What are some alternatives to "a great influence"?

Alternatives include "a major influence", "a significant impact", or "a profound effect". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had a great influence on"?

Yes, "had a great influence on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It indicates that someone or something exerted a significant impact on someone or something else. For example, "His father had "a great influence" on his career choice".

What is the difference between "influence" and "impact"?

"Influence" generally refers to the power to affect someone or something, while "impact" refers to the effect itself. While they are closely related and often interchangeable, "influence" emphasizes the capacity to affect, and "impact" emphasizes the result of that influence. You could say something exerted "a great influence", or you could say it had "a great impact".