decisive influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"decisive influence" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that has a significant or controlling impact on a situation or event. For example, "The prime minister's speech had a decisive influence on the election outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Langa sees Moeketsi as a decisive influence.

The Guardian - Music

But the decisive influence was not Locke's.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But here the decisive influence was probably the music.

The New York Times

The association proved to be a decisive influence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her own work has been a decisive influence in shaping solid state, atomic, and nuclear physics.

University of California, Berkeley

The pope may well have a decisive influence upon the 2016 race for the White House.

The Guardian - Opinion

It also gives the troika decisive influence over reforms of the country's struggling banking sector.

The Guardian - Business

It also awards the troika decisive influence over reforms of the struggling banking sector.

The Guardian

The Springs environment had a decisive influence on Mr. Nivola's career.

The New York Times

In this Loos has had a decisive influence on the destiny of architecture".

The New York Times

Fischer's country house designs had a decisive influence on the architects of his time.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decisive influence", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being influenced and the nature of that influence. For instance, specify whether the influence led to a particular decision or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "decisive influence" when the actual impact is only partial or contributory. Reserve it for situations where the influence truly determined the result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decisive influence" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, describing the type of influence exerted. It signifies an influence that is critical in determining an outcome or decision, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decisive influence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe a significant or controlling impact on a situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English. It appears most commonly in scientific and news contexts, highlighting its broad applicability. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines the elements of influence, and avoid overstating the impact if it's not truly determinative. The variety of examples provided by Ludwig underscores the versatility and importance of understanding this phrase in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pivotal influence

Indicates a turning point or critical moment of influence.

determining factor

Highlights the role of setting the boundaries of what is or isn't.

considerable impact

Synonymous, adding an element of quantity to the importance.

significant impact

Focuses on the degree of impact, rather than the element of decision or finality.

substantial effect

Highlights that the effect is worth of attention.

major effect

Highlights the magnitude of the consequence or outcome.

key factor

Emphasizes the role of being a critical element in a process or outcome.

critical role

Highlights the importance of a function or position.

primary force

Suggests being the main driver or impetus behind something.

driving force

Emphasizes that the influence is moving an element towards a concrete direction.

FAQs

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

You can use "decisive influence" to indicate something or someone had a major impact on an outcome. For example, "The coach's strategy had a "decisive influence" on the team's victory."

What are some alternatives to "decisive influence"?

Alternatives include "significant impact", "key factor", or "pivotal influence", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "decisive influence" the same as "strong influence"?

"Decisive influence" implies a more determining effect than "strong influence". While a strong influence may be significant, a decisive influence effectively seals the outcome.

Can "decisive influence" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "decisive influence" is appropriate for formal writing across various fields, including academia, business, and news reporting.