assert influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assert influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate the exertion of control or power over a situation or person. For example, "The successful businessman was able to assert his influence over the board members and get the deal approved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Moiré patterns, TV color bars, musical structures, and rules-based composition assert influence, as do performance and, undeniably, sculpture.

The New Yorker

"Successful political operatives," Mr. Strauss said, "are in the main people who are able to contain their desire for visibility and assert influence behind the scenes".

The New York Times

Dastyari has done us all a favour by highlighting one problem in the current system: the capacity for foreign interests to try and assert influence in our democracy.

The Guardian

Some of Mr. Rumsfeld's initiatives were controversial, and met with resistance by some at the State Department and C.I.A. who saw the troops as a backdoor attempt by the Pentagon to assert influence outside of war zones.

The New York Times

Behind the scenes, however, there is debate within the administration as to how aggressively the United States should be moving to assert influence and to court supporters in a power vacuum in which some of the loudest voices so far have been anti-American, and where Iran has shown signs of trying to play an active role.

The New York Times

Still, the effort to squeeze the dollar out of Russian oil sales is yet another project notable for swagger and ambition by the Kremlin, which has already wielded its energy wealth to assert influence in Eastern Europe and former Soviet states.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Europe and the United States are asserting influence through N.G.O.'s and by backing political changes.

The New York Times

He said Iran's action had more to do with sending a message to Washington and asserting influence as a regional power than with achieving a new military capability.

The New York Times

A Times report published last weekend, about Jeb's many notes and requests to the White House on other matters when his father worked there, suggests that he "normally" wasn't shy at all about asserting influence inappropriately.

The New Yorker

Although she has no formal high-ranking title in Mr. Murdoch's companies, she acts as counselor to her husband and by all accounts has asserted influence in his global media empire.

The New York Times

Apple is smartly asserting influence over multiple layers in the communications stack: devices (iPhones and iPads), operating system (iOS) and apps (iMessage, FaceTime, PhotoStream, etc).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "assert influence" when you want to convey the act of actively demonstrating or imposing one's power or control in a specific situation. It's suitable when someone is actively making their presence or authority felt.

Common error

Avoid using "assert influence" when a more subtle or indirect form of influence is intended. For instance, if someone's ideas are naturally adopted because of their merit, a more suitable phrase might be "have an impact" or "shape opinions" rather than "assert influence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assert influence" functions as a verb phrase, where "assert" is the verb indicating the action of declaring or demonstrating something forcefully, and "influence" is the noun representing the power to affect someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "assert influence" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys the act of actively demonstrating power or control. As validated by Ludwig AI, it finds its primary context within news and media, with less frequent usage in scientific discussions. The phrase functions as a verb phrase, serving the communicative purpose of describing the deliberate exertion of one's power. When using "assert influence", consider whether you intend to convey a subtle influence or a more forceful imposition of authority. Alternatives such as "exert control" or "wield power" may be more suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert control

Focuses more on the direct application of power.

wield power

Implies having and using power effectively.

exercise authority

Emphasizes the formal right to exert influence.

exert leverage

Highlights using a specific advantage to gain influence.

establish dominance

Suggests creating a position of superior power.

maintain control

Focuses on continuing to have influence or power.

project power

Emphasizes displaying power to influence others.

establish authority

Highlights creating the right or power to influence.

exert pressure

Emphasizes using force or persuasion to influence.

dominate proceedings

Implies taking control and directing a process or situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "assert influence" to describe how an individual or entity actively demonstrates power or control. For example, "The company sought to assert influence in the emerging market through strategic partnerships."

What are some alternatives to "assert influence"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "exert control", "wield power", or "exercise authority".

Is it better to say "assert influence" or "have influence"?

"Assert influence" implies an active demonstration of power, while "have influence" simply indicates possessing the ability to affect something. Choose the phrase that best reflects the action you are describing.

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

While similar, "assert influence" often suggests a more deliberate and perhaps forceful action than "exert influence", which can imply a more general application of power.