a major influence on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major influence on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that has a significant impact or effect on another person, idea, or situation. Example: "Her research has been a major influence on the development of modern psychology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Steel fibers can have a major influence on workability; one special concern is their orientation.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

The magazine had been a major influence on Updike.

The Guardian - Books

And Brooks has had a major influence on her work.

The New York Times

He has had a major influence on my career.

The New York Times

He still exerts a major influence on the board.

The Guardian - Tech

The Petrarchan sonnet became a major influence on European poetry.

Britannica

It was a major influence on Spenser's Faerie Queene.

Harvard University

The rules had a major influence on each team's outcome.

Stanford University

A major influence on prose was exercised by Arabic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Changes in weather have a major influence on driving safety.

Applied Acoustics

Immigration remains a major influence on the Israeli language landscape.

Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major influence on", ensure the subject you're describing truly had a considerable impact. Avoid overstating the influence if evidence is lacking.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something had "a major influence on" an outcome, it was the sole cause. Acknowledge other contributing factors to provide a balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major influence on" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the entity that is significantly affected by something else. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major influence on" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe something that has a significant impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. To ensure accurate usage, remember to verify the significance of the influence and avoid attributing sole causation. Consider alternatives like "a significant impact on" or "a key factor in" for nuanced expressions. This phrase serves to highlight the notable effect one entity has on another, making it a valuable tool in articulating relationships and impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impact on

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

a substantial effect on

Substitutes "major" with "substantial" and "influence" with "effect", emphasizing the degree of impact.

a key factor in

Shifts the focus to identify something as a critical element contributing to an outcome.

played a pivotal role in

Highlights the crucial role something played in a process or event.

heavily influenced

Uses a verb form to emphasize the act of influencing, rather than the state.

a primary driver of

Suggests that something is a main force behind a particular result or change.

a leading contributor to

Focuses on the contribution aspect, highlighting its importance.

instrumental in

Emphasizes the role of something being essential or vital to a specific result.

exerted a strong effect on

Highlights the action of influencing and the strength of the effect.

a significant determinant of

Positions something as a key factor that decides or strongly affects an outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "a major influence on" to indicate that someone or something has significantly affected the development, behavior, or thinking of someone or something else. For instance, "The Beatles were "a major influence on" many subsequent rock bands".

What are some alternatives to saying "a major influence on"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant impact on", "a key factor in", or "instrumental in" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a major influence for" instead of "a major influence on"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "on". "Influence" typically takes "on" to indicate what is being affected. Saying "a major influence for" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "a major influence on" and "a minor influence on"?

"A major influence on" indicates a significant and noticeable effect, while "a minor influence on" suggests a slight or barely perceptible impact.