a key influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key influence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that has a significant impact on a situation, decision, or outcome. Example: "Her research was a key influence in shaping the new policy on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His faith was a key influence.

The Guardian

I think Broadcast News is a key influence.

The Guardian - Film

Mothers are a key influence on adolescent girls' body image.

Body Image

Lars von Trier declared that it was a key influence on his latest movie, Dogville.

The Guardian

He cites Tran Anh Hung's 1995 film Cyclo as a key influence.

The Guardian

It was certainly a key influence on my work with Duran Duran".

The Guardian - Music

A key influence on academy staffing has been the concept of "distributed" leadership.

The Guardian

New trends in technology have a key influence on the inclusion of new words.

The Guardian - Books

Choudary said he had been a key influence in Dart's understanding of Islam.

The Guardian

Dining is becoming a key influence on our choice of holiday destination.

The Guardian - Travel

There are essays on Oscar Wilde and William S. Burroughs, a key influence on Self.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key influence", clearly identify what is being influenced and the nature of that influence. Providing specific examples strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a key influence" when the impact is minor or indirect. Overstating the importance of something weakens your argument and reduces credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key influence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something as significantly affecting a situation or outcome, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key influence" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant impact or factor in a given situation. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts such as news, science, and general discussions. The phrase serves to emphasize importance, and while it can be used across registers, it is most common in neutral and formal settings. When employing "a key influence", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is being influenced and avoid overstating the impact for credibility. You can replace "a key influence" with similar phrases like "a major factor" or "a crucial element" to achieve similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impact

This focuses on the notable effect that something has on a situation.

a powerful effect

This underlines the strength and intensity of the impact that something has.

a major contributing factor

This emphasizes the role of something as a significant element in producing a result.

a formative influence

This refers to something that shapes or molds the development of someone or something.

a primary driving force

This highlights the power of something to propel or motivate a particular outcome.

a crucial element

This highlights the indispensable nature of something within a larger system or process.

a vital component

This underscores the necessity of something for the completeness or proper functioning of something else.

a central determinant

This suggests that something is crucial in deciding or controlling a particular outcome.

a cornerstone

This suggests something is fundamental and essential, supporting everything else.

an important catalyst

This emphasizes the role of something in triggering or accelerating a change or event.

FAQs

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

Use "a key influence" to highlight something that has a significant impact on an outcome or development. For instance, "Technology was "a key influence" on the company's growth".

What can I say instead of "a key influence"?

You can use alternatives like "a major factor", "a significant impact", or "a crucial element" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a key influence" or "the key influence"?

"A key influence" suggests one of several important factors. "The key influence" implies the single most important factor. The choice depends on whether you're highlighting one of many or the primary driver.

What's the difference between "a key influence" and "a contributing factor"?

"A key influence" suggests a strong and direct impact, while "a contributing factor" implies a more indirect or supportive role in achieving a particular result.