a major influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major influence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that has a significant impact on a person, situation, or outcome. Example: "Her research was a major influence on the development of new educational policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her words had a major influence.

The Guardian

Mr. Woodhams was a major influence.

The New York Times - Arts

My dad was a major influence.

The Telegraph

The magazine had been a major influence on Updike.

The Guardian - Books

So you see, Bergman really was not a major influence".

The Guardian - Film

Lauryn Hill has definitely been a major influence for me.

The Guardian - Music

Economics have exerted a major influence over these trends.

The New York Times

And Brooks has had a major influence on her work.

The New York Times

James Agee, a good friend, was also a major influence.

The New York Times - Arts

She cites Coco Chanel as a major influence.

The New Yorker

Jerry was a major influence in my life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major influence" when you want to emphasize the significant impact something or someone has had. Choose more specific terms if you want to convey the type of impact or strength.

Common error

Avoid using "a major influence" loosely without providing supporting details. Ensure you can demonstrate the extent and nature of the influence to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major influence" functions as a noun phrase that typically identifies something or someone that has a significant effect on a particular person, event, or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major influence" is a versatile phrase used to denote something or someone that has had a significant impact. As Ludwig AI validates, it is grammatically correct and highly prevalent across various reputable sources, including news outlets, academic institutions, and scientific publications. Its primary function is to attribute importance and underscore the impact of a specific factor. While adaptable to diverse contexts, it’s most fitting in professional, academic, and neutral settings, where clarity and precision are paramount. Be mindful to provide specific evidence to support claims of major influence to maintain credibility and avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant effect

Focuses on the impact rather than the source of influence; less personal.

a profound impact

Highlights the depth and extent of the impact; more intense.

a key factor

Highlights importance in achieving a result; less about personal impact.

a primary driver

Suggests a force that propels something forward; more dynamic.

a central element

Emphasizes being an indispensable part of something; less about affecting someone.

a crucial aspect

Highlights importance for understanding something; more analytical.

a powerful force

Emphasizes the strength of the influence; more forceful.

a formative experience

Implies influence on personal development; more experiential.

a guiding principle

Suggests influence as a rule or belief; more philosophical.

a determining factor

Indicates something that decides an outcome; more decisive.

FAQs

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

Use "a major influence" to describe something or someone that significantly affects an outcome, person, or thing. For example, "Her teaching style was "a major influence" on his decision to pursue mathematics".

What are some alternatives to "a major influence"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a significant effect", "a key factor", or "a profound impact".

Is it correct to say "a major influence on" or "a major influence in"?

"A major influence on" is generally the preferred and more grammatically sound choice when indicating what something affects. "A major influence in" can be appropriate when referring to a specific area or field.

What's the difference between "a major influence" and "a minor influence"?

"A major influence" signifies a considerable and significant impact, whereas "a minor influence" indicates a slight or less noticeable effect.