acquire influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquire influence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of gaining power, authority, or sway over others in various contexts, such as business, politics, or social situations. Example: "To succeed in this industry, it is essential to acquire influence among key stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Twomey says upholding caps on donations is important because "it is hard to acquire influence if your donation is only as valuable as that of hundreds or thousands of others".

The Guardian

We think we'll be kind and thoughtful when we acquire influence, but sometimes we're weaker and meaner than we intended to be.

Huffington Post

Given that 74percentt of Syrians practice Sunni Islam, the Saudi government would like to use its religious authority and economic resources to acquire influence over a post-Assad order -- at Tehran and Hezbollah's expense.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Others fear the abortion move speaks to a sinister and reactionary agenda which is acquiring influence and power across civil society.

The Guardian

Never a flashy senator — his colleagues Bill Bradley and Mr. Torricelli got more attention — Mr. Lautenberg acquired influence on the Appropriations Committee and had a consistently liberal voting record.

The New York Times

It has acquired influence in Africa, and has plenty of soft power (which will be enhanced if this year's football World Cup goes well).

The Economist

The United States has an interest in preventing the Taliban from destabilizing South Asia by acquiring influence in nuclear-armed Pakistan or by provoking a war between India and Pakistan, two still-insecure nuclear powers.

The New Yorker

Professor Gates said Professor Bryce-Laporte had urged students to involve themselves in activities like writing for the college newspaper and joining secret societies as steps to acquiring influence in the larger society.

The New York Times

Whether the society was small, with leadership a matter of acquiring influence rather than hereditary position, or larger, with chiefs who were looked on with awe and treated with reverence, every gift or service had to be reciprocated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

How does their motivation for acquiring influence the optimal combination of integration choices?

Journal of Organization Design

The principal impact is an error in polishing-rate between acquiring influence function data and starting polishing.

Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "acquire influence", identify key individuals or groups and tailor your approach to resonate with their values and priorities. Building trust and demonstrating competence are crucial for long-term influence.

Common error

Don't assume that acquiring influence automatically grants you authority. Influence is about persuasion and relationships, while authority is about formal power. Focus on building genuine connections rather than simply seeking control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquire influence" functions as a verb phrase where "acquire" is the verb and "influence" is the noun acting as the direct object. It describes the action of gaining or obtaining power or sway over someone or something, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquire influence" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes the act of gaining power or sway, as stated by Ludwig AI. While not extremely common, it's frequently used in news, encyclopedias and scientific contexts. Consider alternatives such as "gain influence" or "establish influence" to add nuance to your writing. Remember that acquiring influence is about building relationships and demonstrating competence, and it doesn't automatically grant authority. Focus on genuine connections rather than simply seeking control to effectively use the phrase "acquire influence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain influence

Emphasizes the result of obtaining influence, focusing on the state of having it.

establish influence

Highlights the action of setting up or creating influence where it didn't previously exist.

earn influence

Suggests that influence is obtained through effort or merit.

secure influence

Implies a deliberate and strategic effort to obtain and protect influence.

pursue influence

Focuses on the active pursuit or seeking of influence.

seek influence

Similar to pursue, but may imply a less direct or aggressive approach.

cultivate influence

Suggests a gradual and nurturing approach to developing influence over time.

build influence

Emphasizes the construction and development of influence, often over a period.

accrue influence

Implies a gradual accumulation of influence over time, often as a result of various actions.

develop leverage

Shifts the focus to obtaining leverage, implying the ability to exert pressure or control.

FAQs

What does "acquire influence" mean?

The phrase "acquire influence" means to gain the ability to affect the behavior, opinions, or decisions of others. It involves building relationships, demonstrating expertise, and earning the trust of people you want to influence.

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

You might say, "Politicians often try to "acquire influence" through campaign donations" or "A skilled negotiator knows how to "acquire influence" over the other party."

What are some synonyms for "acquire influence"?

Alternatives include "gain influence", "establish influence", "build influence", or "develop leverage", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "acquire influence" and "exert influence"?

"Acquire influence" refers to the process of gaining influence, whereas "exert influence" refers to the act of using influence that you already possess.