a wide influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wide influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the extensive impact or effect that someone or something has on others or on a particular field. Example: "The author's work has had a wide influence on contemporary literature, inspiring countless writers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Ireland's liberal views also gave him a wide influence and reputation outside of the church.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He exerted a wide influence, not only in France but in other countries, particularly the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Accademia dei Georgofili, founded in 1753, exercised a wide influence on a range of issues touching on agrarian reform.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1918 he founded the École Normale de Musique in Paris, where his piano classes had a wide influence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Silver exerted a wide influence, touching many pianists and jazz organists with the blues-derived aspects of his playing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The success of the annual season of these concerts (the "Proms") had a wide influence on English musical life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

This was a man not only capable of holding his place on the all-time list of great individual players – the one including Ferenc Puskas, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Pelé, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – but capable of exerting a wider influence as a thinker, changing the way the world saw football and the way they played it.

The Guardian - Sport

In any case, a wider influence of Avicenna's philosophy on Medieval Judaic thought appeared after 1150.

SEP

(2) From the simulation results, the high-level drill crossing hole had a wider influence and higher drainage concentration than the low hole.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

It also highlights the strategic opportunities that this field of enquiry opens for sustainable design to have a wider influence in societal transformation.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Crowley also had a wider influence in British popular culture.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of an idea or person, use "a wide influence" to convey that the effect is broad and extensive. It suggests that the impact is not limited to a small area or group.

Common error

While both phrases suggest a broad impact, "wide influence" typically refers to influence exerted across different areas or groups, while "widespread influence" emphasizes that the influence is present in many places or among many people. Be mindful of which nuance you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wide influence" functions as a noun phrase, where "wide" modifies the noun "influence." It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, indicating the extent or scope of impact. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

42.5%

Science

27.5%

Less common in

Wiki

7.5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wide influence" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to describe a broad or extensive impact. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various writing styles and contexts, from academic to general media. While alternatives like "a broad influence" or "a significant impact" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to consider the subtle differences between "wide" and "widespread" to ensure accurate communication. The phrase is frequent in encyclopedias, news media, and science, reflecting its versatility and relevance across different knowledge domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad influence

Uses "broad" instead of "wide", emphasizing the extent of the influence.

a significant influence

Replaces "wide" with "significant", focusing on the importance rather than the reach.

a considerable influence

Substitutes "wide" with "considerable", highlighting the substantial degree of influence.

a substantial impact

Changes "influence" to "impact" and "wide" to "substantial", shifting the focus to effect.

a far-reaching effect

Replaces "influence" with "effect" and uses "far-reaching" to indicate the extensive scope.

a pervasive impact

Emphasizes the widespread nature of the impact, using "pervasive" to indicate its reach.

an extensive reach

Focuses on the range of the influence, using "reach" to describe its extent.

a comprehensive effect

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of the effect.

a sweeping influence

Uses "sweeping" to convey the breadth and scope of the influence.

a large-scale impact

Focuses on the magnitude of the impact, using "large-scale" to indicate its size.

FAQs

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

Use "a wide influence" to describe something or someone that has a broad effect on many things or people. For instance: "The philosopher's ideas had a wide influence on subsequent generations of thinkers."

What's the difference between "a wide influence" and "a great influence"?

"A wide influence" suggests the impact spans across many areas or groups, while "a great influence" implies the impact is significant in intensity or degree. The former is about breadth, the latter about magnitude.

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

You can use alternatives like "a broad influence", "a significant impact", or "a far-reaching effect" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a wide influence on" or "a wide influence in"?

Both are grammatically acceptable, but "a wide influence on" is more common and generally preferred. "A wide influence in" might be used when referring to a specific field or area.