a specific influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific influence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular effect or impact that something has on a person, situation, or outcome. Example: "The documentary had a specific influence on her decision to pursue a career in environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

At the same time -- and here Busoni was a specific influence -- Sorabji revered Bach.

The New York Times - Arts

This video's rugged terrain was a specific influence for the collection, Ervell added.

The New York Times

This study showed that the aluminium content has a specific influence on the immunogenicity of this dTpa vaccine.

Vaccine

The findings suggest that biased attentional responses to threat, among children, can exert a specific influence on the tendency to experience anxiety in the face of stress.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

The results partially confirm that each dimension of the image of the region of origin has a specific influence on consumers' selection behaviors.

Food Quality and Preference

"You can't pin it down to a specific influence or reference," said Yann Le Coadic, a freelance interior designer in Paris, who says the French call the look faux coordonne -- meaning something appears to have been conceived of as a single thing but "on close inspection is composed of elements coming from different sources".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

This suggests that when we find, for instance, a strong genetic influence on reading ability, we may be simply picking up a general genetic influence on intelligence, rather than a more specific influence on literacy.

Plosone

This leads to the hypothesis that maternal overweight has a sex specific influence on the intrauterine fetal growth pattern (Brune et al: Obesity 2010, 4 798-802).

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

He points to his long interest in cognitive science as one of many points of departure for "Atomos", then homes in on a more specific influence.

Vice

Firstly we tested the overall effect of the 5-HTTLPR genotype on amygdala volume and secondly we looked for a diagnosis specific influence.

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

We chose to investigate both the lower extremity and the low back in this study due to prior studies having noted a region specific influence of non- specific effects.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a specific influence", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being influenced and what is exerting the influence. This clarifies the relationship and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific influence" when the impact is broad or general. If the influence affects many areas or is not easily pinpointed, consider using terms like "a significant influence" or "a general impact" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific influence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It identifies a particular effect or impact, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a specific influence" is grammatically correct and denotes a particular effect or impact. According to Ludwig, its usage is most prevalent in scientific and news media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being influenced to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "a particular effect" and "a distinct impact" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. While the phrase is valid in English, it's important to ensure that overgeneralization is avoided, especially when the impact isn't easily pinpointed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular effect

Focuses on the effect being notable rather than necessarily unique.

a distinct impact

Emphasizes the clear and recognizable nature of the impact.

a definite influence

Highlights the certainty and undeniable quality of the influence.

a marked effect

Stresses that the effect is easily observed or noticeable.

a targeted influence

Highlights the influence being pointed towards a certain goal.

a precise effect

Indicates the effect is exact and clearly defined.

a unique impact

Emphasizes the singularity and unmatched quality of the influence.

a direct effect

Stresses the causal relationship, implying a straight and unmediated influence.

a specialized impact

Specifies that the effect is applicable to a certain field.

a tailored effect

Focuses on effect that has been designed for a particular purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "a specific influence" to denote a particular effect on something. For example, "The artist's travels had a specific influence on his later works."

What's the difference between "a specific influence" and "a general influence"?

"A specific influence" refers to a particular effect that can be identified, whereas "a general influence" affects things broadly. Consider which meaning you want to convey to ensure you're using the right phrase.

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

You can use alternatives like "a particular effect", "a distinct impact", or "a definite influence" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "specific influence on" or "specific influence in"?

The preposition "on" is generally preferred when discussing an influence, as it indicates a direct effect. For example, "a specific influence on the economy" is more common than "a specific influence in the economy".