can be influenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be influenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone has the potential to be affected or changed by external factors or influences. Example: "The outcome of the experiment can be influenced by various environmental conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We can draw the conclusion that algorithms and computers can be influenced by humans beings.

TechCrunch

It can be influenced.

Stanford University

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

The New York Times

He can be influenced by advertising and public relations campaigns.

The New York Times - Science

They are so naive, they really can be influenced".

The Guardian - Books

So the natural mode can be influenced by externalities.

The New York Times

The mechanical properties can be influenced negatively beyond this value.

Construction and Building Materials

These can be influenced by modification of spraying parameters.

Acta Materialia

Process design can be influenced most in the early phases.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Academic performance can be influenced by various factors.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Most doctors dismiss the notion that they can be influenced by food.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be influenced", clearly identify the influencing factors to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "decisions can be influenced", specify "decisions can be influenced by economic factors".

Common error

Avoid using "can be influenced" when a stronger term like "determined" or "controlled" is more accurate. Overusing "can be influenced" can weaken your writing and make it seem less precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be influenced" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject is capable of being affected or changed by external factors. Ludwig AI shows this phrase used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be influenced" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression indicating susceptibility to external factors. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across diverse domains, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "can be affected" or "can be impacted" exist, "can be influenced" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility, rendering it appropriate for various contexts. To ensure clarity, it is important to specify the influencing factors when using the phrase. Be mindful of overstating the degree of influence to maintain precision in your writing. Remember the phrase "can be influenced" is versatile and precise!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be affected

This alternative is a more general term, suggesting a broader range of impacts, not necessarily intentional or directed.

can be impacted

This is a more forceful alternative, implying a significant or noticeable effect.

is susceptible to

This alternative emphasizes vulnerability and a tendency to be affected.

is open to influence

This alternative suggests a willingness or possibility of being influenced, rather than a definite impact.

is subject to

This implies a formal or imposed influence, often by rules or regulations.

can be swayed

This suggests a change in opinion or course of action due to persuasion.

can be shaped

This implies a more active and formative influence, resulting in a significant change in form or character.

can be determined

This suggests a stronger degree of influence, where the outcome is largely controlled by external factors.

can be conditioned

This emphasizes a learned or trained response to specific stimuli.

can be manipulated

This implies a negative or deceptive influence, often for personal gain.

FAQs

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

You can use "can be influenced" to indicate that something is susceptible to external factors. For instance, "voting decisions "can be influenced" by otherwise irrelevant events".

What are some alternatives to "can be influenced"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "can be affected", "can be impacted", or "is susceptible to".

Is "can be influenced by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "can be influenced by" is grammatically correct. The "by" indicates the agent or factor that is doing the influencing, such as in the sentence, "Academic performance can be influenced by various factors."

What is the difference between "can be influenced" and "is determined by"?

"Can be influenced" suggests that something is susceptible to external factors, while "is determined by" implies a more direct and complete control. For example, "behavior can be influenced" suggests external factors play a role, while "behavior is determined by genetics" suggests a more absolute control.