a prevailing force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prevailing force" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a dominant or influential power in a particular context, such as social, political, or environmental situations. Example: "In the debate over climate change, renewable energy has emerged as a prevailing force driving policy changes worldwide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For the last decade, artists have been a prevailing force in bringing climate change to the forefront of public conversation.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Today, the prevailing force is egoism, a lack of understanding of life, of how human beings can be fairer.

Independent

To get here, you can either catch a small twice-weekly ferry, which in winter is more often than not stuck in what might generously - if not very truthfully - be termed Foula's harbour, or take a tiny eight-seat twin-prop Islander aeroplane that flies whenever the prevailing force eight is kind enough to blast straight up or down, as opposed to across, the homemade landing strip.

The Guardian - Travel

Instead, the prevailing force seems to be deteriorating conditions at home.

The New York Times

What he's writing about -- while Merrick holds the attention -- is the widespread belief during the Victorian era that science should replace religion as the prevailing force.

Huffington Post

Cochrane has suggested that she emerged as the prevailing force at the weekly debates with Salmond, writing in May 2013, "it's been obvious for some time to those of us in the cheap seats that Johann Lamont has more than got his measure".

Wikipedia

Despite the clear adaptive potential of some HT and duplicated genes, purifying selection appears to be the prevailing force acting against both duplications and HT genes in Sinorhizobium, at the level of the entire species.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Sub-scenarios can then be built related to the way in which such a diffused model can develop in relation to the prevailing forces or macro drivers, in particular by identifying: a LOCAL scenario: production will be near consumption; a GLOBAL scenario: production will not necessarily be near consumption.

European Transport Research Review

If anything, they seem to go against the prevailing forces of snark.

The New York Times - Sports

We could get there on our own, with the requisite skillpower, working against the prevailing forces of our culture.

Huffington Post

Frankly, if we lift back the covers, clearly it is evident that the prevailing forces behind the Bush/Cheney coalition were far more insidious.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a prevailing force", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being influenced. For instance, specify "a prevailing force in the market" or "a prevailing force in political discourse".

Common error

Avoid using "a prevailing force" as a sole explanation for multifaceted outcomes. Recognize that most situations involve multiple interacting factors, and attribute only the appropriate level of influence to the prevailing force.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prevailing force" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies an entity that exerts significant influence or dominance. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes influential factors in various domains, from climate change to science.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prevailing force" is a grammatically correct and semantically sound phrase used to describe a dominant or influential factor in a given situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and suitable for use in written English. While it appears more frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts, its relative infrequency suggests a need for careful contextualization. Remember to specify the domain in which the force prevails for maximum clarity and impact. Alternatives like "dominant influence" or "major factor" may suit different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dominant influence

Focuses on the power to affect something without necessarily being the most widespread.

a major factor

Emphasizes the contribution to a result or situation.

a key driver

Highlights the role in propelling or instigating change.

a widespread phenomenon

Shifts the focus to the breadth of occurrence rather than the strength of influence.

a potent element

Highlights the effective capacity of the element at play.

a significant factor

Emphasizes the importance of the element.

a primary influence

Stresses the element is the main influencing factor.

a major trend

Focuses on the direction or pattern of change.

a driving impetus

Implies a force that initiates action or change.

a central element

Highlights the essential nature of the element to the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a prevailing force" in a sentence?

You can use "a prevailing force" to describe something that has significant influence or power in a given situation. For example, "Technology is a prevailing force in shaping modern education."

What can I say instead of "a prevailing force"?

You can use alternatives like "a dominant influence", "a major factor", or "a key driver" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "prevailing force" or "dominant force"?

Both "prevailing force" and "dominant force" can be used, but "prevailing force" suggests something that is currently widespread or generally accepted, while "dominant force" emphasizes power and control. Choose the one that best fits the intended meaning.

In what contexts is "a prevailing force" most commonly used?

"A prevailing force" is often used in contexts discussing social trends, economic factors, and environmental issues to describe the most significant influences shaping these areas.