be influenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be influenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the impact or effect that something has on a person or situation. Example: "Many factors can cause a person to be influenced by their surroundings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The upper classes, though, could be influenced.

The Economist

But we must be influenced by facts.

The Guardian - Opinion

I can't even be influenced by critics.

The New York Times

It can also be influenced by seasons, it seems.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The inquiry's timescale will be influenced by the Maxwellisation process".

The Guardian

If it was BBC policy, perhaps it could be influenced.

The Guardian

Did you intend to be influenced by this?

The New York Times

People without hope, he argues, can be influenced by terrorists.

The New York Times

"I didn't want to be influenced by anything," he says.

The New York Times

Who on earth is supposed to be influenced by it?

The Guardian

The superdelegates can also be influenced by the primaries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the degree of influence when using "be influenced". If the impact is strong, consider using stronger verbs like "be determined" or "be shaped" for greater emphasis.

Common error

Avoid mismatching the subject with the correct form of "be". For example, instead of "The decision are influenced by many factors," use "The decision is influenced by many factors" (singular) or "The decisions are influenced by many factors" (plural).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be influenced" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving an action or effect. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness, showing it is widely used to describe how external factors affect something or someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Social Media

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be influenced" is a versatile passive construction used to denote the impact of external forces on a subject. Grammatically sound and commonly employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business, it indicates a change in opinion, behavior, or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, supported by numerous examples. When using "be influenced", clarity regarding the agent and subject is crucial. Alternatives include "be affected by" and "be swayed by", each carrying nuanced implications. Steer clear of subject-verb agreement errors for accurate writing. Its widespread usage underscores its importance in clearly expressing cause-and-effect relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be affected by

Emphasizes a more general impact, not necessarily a change in opinion or behavior.

be swayed by

Implies persuasion or a shift in opinion due to compelling arguments or emotions.

be impacted by

Focuses on the effect or consequence experienced as a result of something.

be shaped by

Highlights the formative role of something in determining the characteristics of something else.

be determined by

Suggests a causal relationship where something directly dictates the outcome.

be guided by

Indicates that decisions or actions are directed by a particular principle or source.

be molded by

Similar to 'shaped by' but implies a more forceful or deliberate process.

be conditioned by

Suggests a learned or habitual response due to repeated exposure or experience.

be governed by

Indicates that something operates under a set of rules or principles.

be subject to

Suggests a vulnerability or susceptibility to something.

FAQs

How can I use "be influenced" in a sentence?

The phrase "be influenced" is used to indicate that something or someone is affected or changed by an external factor. For example, "The election results "were influenced by" social media campaigns".

What are some alternatives to "be influenced"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "be affected by", "be swayed by", or "be impacted by" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "be influenced by" or "be affected by"?

Both phrases are correct, but "be influenced by" typically implies a change in opinion or behavior, while "be affected by" is a more general term indicating any kind of impact.

Can you provide an example of how the future can "be influenced"?

The phrase "be influenced" means something can have an effect on a future outcome. The example provided in the search results states that '(e) The future can be influenced'.