a sweeping influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sweeping influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a broad or extensive impact that something has on a particular area or group. Example: "The artist's work had a sweeping influence on the modern art movement, inspiring countless creators around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

From natural selection to the action of worms on soil, the ideas of Charles Darwin have had a sweeping influence on biology and geology.

University of California, Berkeley

They get swept up in momentums that have no central authority and that, nonetheless, exercise a sweeping influence on those caught up in their tides.

The New York Times

Despite the massive budget, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has done little to thwart a sweeping influence campaign by the Russian government, and an office tasked with countering such efforts has no employees that even speak Russian due to an ongoing hiring freeze.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Backed by Iran, his group is modelled on Lebanon's Hezbollah, a militia cum political force with sweeping influence in the country's affairs.

The Guardian

Few Treasury secretaries have had such sweeping influence over such a wide realm as Geithner will wield once President Obama signs the new financial overhaul legislation passed this week by Congress.

The Washington Post

The report's authors claim that their investigation "does not contradict" the findings made in the U.S. Director of National Intelligence report published in January, which blamed Russia for a sweeping online influence campaign conducted in the lead-up to the election.

The Washington Post

Those changes gave the generals sweeping influence over Parliament itself, and over an Election Commission with great power to bar candidates and target lawmakers for ejection.

The New York Times

Houdini's sweeping influence is illustrated in works by artists like Deborah Oropallo, Raymond Pettibon and Matthew Barney.

The New York Times

Indeed, the question was no longer whether the nation was in decline relative to Asia and Europe but whether it could manage the resentments its sweeping influence engendered.

The New York Times

Mr. Donilon, 58, a central member of Mr. Obama's foreign-policy team since he first took office, has exerted sweeping influence, mostly behind the scenes, on issues from counterterrorism to the reorientation of America to Asia from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The New York Times

In the space of twenty minutes or so, Sublette conjured up the sweeping influence of Cuban music and Caribbean traditions on almost every popular form of the twentieth century.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing influence, use "a sweeping influence" to emphasize a broad, extensive and significant impact. This phrase is particularly effective in describing historical or cultural shifts.

Common error

Avoid using "a sweeping influence" when a more specific term like "significant" or "noticeable" would be more accurate. Ensure the context genuinely warrants emphasizing breadth and scale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sweeping influence" functions as a noun phrase, where "sweeping" modifies the noun "influence". It describes the extent and breadth of the impact something has. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is usable and grammatically correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sweeping influence" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe something with a broad and extensive impact. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English to describe an extensive impact that something has. While "a sweeping influence" isn't as common as other phrases, its use in news, academic and scientific contexts gives it a formal tone. When writing, consider whether the breadth of impact is key, and if so, "a sweeping influence" is an apt choice. Related alternatives include ""a far-reaching impact"", ""a widespread effect"", and ""a significant sway"" which offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase where more specific terms would be appropriate to maintain the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a far-reaching impact

Emphasizes the extent to which the influence extends.

a widespread effect

Focuses on the breadth of the effect across a population or area.

a significant sway

Highlights the power to persuade or control something.

a comprehensive reach

Implies a thorough and inclusive scope of influence.

a dominant force

Suggests a controlling and powerful influence.

a pervasive effect

Highlights that the effect spreads widely throughout something.

a considerable effect

Refers to a noticeable and important influence.

a broad impact

Describes the overall effect rather than the scope of influence.

a major force

Suggests a strong and important influence.

a telling impact

Describes the impact as revealing or significant.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sweeping influence" to describe something that has a broad and extensive impact. For example: "The internet has had "a sweeping influence" on communication".

What are some alternatives to saying "a sweeping influence"?

Alternatives include "a far-reaching impact", "a widespread effect", or "a significant sway". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a sweeping influence" or "a profound influence"?

While both phrases indicate significance, ""a sweeping influence"" suggests a broad, extensive reach, whereas "a profound influence" implies a deep, impactful effect. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nature of the impact.

What makes "a sweeping influence" different from "a major influence"?

"A sweeping influence" emphasizes the scale and breadth of the impact, whereas "a major influence" simply indicates that the influence is significant and important, but not necessarily extensive.