a powerful influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a powerful influence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something or someone that has a significant effect on a person, situation, or outcome. Example: "The media can be a powerful influence on public opinion and behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But early childhood is a powerful influence.

The New York Times - Sports

"Movies have a powerful influence on us.

The New Yorker

Vogel's expressive figurative sculpture had a powerful influence.

The Guardian - Arts

This word has a powerful influence over society.

The Guardian

Styles of parenting obviously exert a powerful influence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her mother, who died in 2005, was a powerful influence.

The Guardian

Cottrell was indeed a powerful influence – for the good.

Independent

Such norms continue to exercise a powerful influence.

The New York Times

Local culture remains a powerful influence in daily life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is water a powerful influence on your writing, in terms of poiesis?

The Guardian

Liz Mohn, Mr. Mohn's wife and a powerful influence, was consulted, according to the executive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like 'significant' or 'substantial' to provide variety in your writing, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "a powerful influence" if the actual impact is minimal or unsubstantiated. Overstating the influence can weaken your argument and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a powerful influence" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It describes something or someone that exerts a significant effect on a person, situation, or outcome. Ludwig examples show it used across diverse subjects, confirming its versatile applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a powerful influence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe something or someone with a significant impact. Ludwig AI indicates its prevalent use across various authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Encyclopedia Britannica. While the phrase is suitable for neutral to formal registers, context is key to ensure the influence is accurately portrayed. Consider using synonyms like "a significant influence" or "a strong impact" for stylistic variation. Remember to avoid overstating the influence and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong influence

Substitutes 'powerful' with 'strong', indicating a substantial effect.

a major influence

Uses 'major' instead of 'powerful', suggesting a principal or key impact.

a substantial influence

Changes 'powerful' to 'substantial', indicating a large or significant effect.

a significant influence

Uses 'significant' instead of 'powerful', emphasizing the importance of the influence.

a considerable influence

Replaces 'powerful' with 'considerable', highlighting the extent of the impact.

a formidable influence

Replaces 'powerful' with 'formidable', suggesting a strong and perhaps intimidating impact.

a tremendous influence

Substitutes 'powerful' with 'tremendous', emphasizing the magnitude of the influence.

a dominant influence

Replaces 'powerful' with 'dominant', indicating a controlling or prevailing impact.

a profound influence

Replaces 'powerful' with 'profound', suggesting a deep and far-reaching impact.

a compelling influence

Substitutes 'powerful' with 'compelling', highlighting the irresistible nature of the influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "a powerful influence" to describe something or someone that has a significant effect. For example, "The media is "a powerful influence" on public opinion."

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

You can use alternatives like "a strong impact", "a significant effect", or "a major force", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a powerful influence" or "a strong effect"?

Both "a powerful influence" and "a strong effect" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the source of impact (influence) or the outcome (effect).

What's the difference between "a powerful influence" and "a considerable impact"?

"A powerful influence" emphasizes the capacity to affect something, while "a considerable impact" focuses on the magnitude of the result. They are often interchangeable but have slightly different focuses.