a place of influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a place of influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a location or environment where a person or group has the power to affect decisions, actions, or opinions. Example: "The university has long been recognized as a place of influence in shaping public policy and education reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science Magazine

Huffington Post

The New York Times

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wikipedia

The Economist

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Savvy Washington observers predict that the cost-free changes--swiftly ending the ban on federal funding of research with post-2001 embryonic stem cells and restoring mainstream science to a place of influence in the high councils of the government--will very likely happen as soon as the new Administration takes over.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In 1997, Barton published a book titled Impeachment: Restraining an Overactive Judiciary, saying that he wrote this book "in response to the request of several U.S. Congressmen," and that it had "found a growing place of influence on Capitol Hill," with "450 copies of the book which they [the congressmen who had requested the book] are selectively distributing".

Huffington Post

I will use my position as a business owner to elevate the women in my life to a place of greater power and influence.

Huffington Post

He made an articulate bid to elevate Syria to its traditional place of influence in the Arab world by warning Israel and the West that Arabs would set their own terms for peace.

The New York Times

As one letter writer laments, we are "losing our place of influence and power worldwide".

The New York Times

The nature of Roman domination in the East began to change decisively after these wars: in place of influence through embassies, arbitration of disputes, and the occasional military incursion came direct rule.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Schmidt said his belief in the theater as a place of community and even worship was influenced by a "Tartuffe" he saw in Paris in 1996.

The New York Times

Their works are dreamlike recollections of a place whose influence had become almost intangible.

The New York Times - Arts

If hegemony is the "social, cultural, ideological, or economic influence exerted by a dominant group" then the data above shows that despite making up over 13% of the U.S. general population, African-Americans do not find equal representation in the places of influence that contribute to social, cultural, ideological and economic influence.

Huffington Post

The Soviet Union's success in exploding an atomic weapon in 1949 and the fall of the nationalist Chinese the same year led many Americans to conclude that subversion by Soviet spies was responsible, and to demand that communists be rooted out from the government and other places of influence.

Wikipedia

While each student's experience is unique and a student is free to do as he or she chooses, the culture of a place has an influence, for positive or negative, encouraging some things, rewarding others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a place of influence" to denote locations or institutions where decisions and actions have significant impact. For example, "The United Nations is a place of influence in global diplomacy."

Common error

While "a place of influence" is correct, it sounds overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "important position" or "influential role" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a place of influence" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a location or environment where influence is exerted, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a place of influence" is a grammatically sound and usable noun phrase, although the frequency analysis suggests it is used uncommonly. As highlighted by Ludwig, it accurately describes a location or environment where power and impact are concentrated. Its neutral to formal register makes it appropriate for professional, academic, and journalistic contexts. Consider alternatives like "center of power" or "sphere of influence" for variety, and be mindful of overusing the phrase in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sphere of influence

Highlights the range or extent of control exerted.

domain of influence

Highlights a specific area where influence is exerted.

position of authority

Changes the focus from a location to a role with power.

realm of authority

Emphasizes the scope and power associated with influence.

seat of power

Focuses on a physical location where power resides.

center of power

Emphasizes the concentration of control rather than influence.

arena of influence

Implies a competitive environment where influence is contested.

locus of control

Shifts the focus to the source or origin of influence.

source of impact

Focuses on the ability to produce effects or changes.

a position to make an impact

Highlights the potential to affect outcomes or situations.

FAQs

How can I use "a place of influence" in a sentence?

Use "a place of influence" to describe an environment or entity where power and impact are concentrated. For instance, "The university became "a place of influence" in technological innovation".

What are some alternatives to saying "a place of influence"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "center of power", "sphere of influence", or "position of authority".

Is it better to say "a place of influence" or "an influential place"?

"A place of influence" emphasizes the location's capacity to exert influence. "An influential place" focuses on the characteristics of the location itself. The choice depends on the specific context.

In what contexts is "a place of influence" most appropriate?

The phrase "a place of influence" is most appropriate in formal contexts, such as academic writing, news reports, or business communications, where a location's power to affect decisions or opinions is being discussed.