exercise influence over

USAGE SUMMARY

"exercise influence over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone who has a certain amount of authority or power over a particular situation or person. For example, "The board chairman used his position to exercise influence over the decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But community school boards would still exercise influence over the city's elementary and middle schools.

The New York Times

But many South Koreans assume that he continues to exercise influence over the chaebol.

The Economist

Pohl has in the past been able to exercise influence over Joint Task Force-Guantanamo over questions concerning the movement of detainees into his courtroom, but the Baluchi team's gambit would test the relationship between the taskforce and the commissions.

The Guardian

His intervention was part of a chorus of appeals by world leaders for Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel peace prize winner, to exercise influence over the military leaders that controlled the government for decades until 2015.

The Guardian

In recent years, the Fed had whittled down its case, dropping its argument that Mr. Clifford and Mr. Altman had violated banking laws by permitting B.C.C.I. to exercise influence over the management and operations of its subsidiaries, including First American.

The New York Times

While Syria and Iran exercise influence over Hezbollah, the group maintains a large degree of independence, and a chain of events in which it surrenders its members is difficult to imagine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

She is quoted as telling a close friend: "It's not my exercising influence over him.

The New York Times - Books

In the latter years of the ElBaradei administration, DDG Waller has not always exercised influence over programmatic areas or staffing as the USG had hoped.

The Guardian

Worse, they skewed the deals by exercising influence over what securities went into the C.D.O.'s, and they pushed for the worst possible stuff to be included.

The New York Times

Experts on immigration law and child psychology say that, with a 6-year-old boy, whoever exercises influence over him will ultimately win the custody battle, which is really what the asylum hearing is about.

The New York Times

That this was probably an illusion — that so far no laws seem to have been broken, that the Clinton Foundation donors have not exercised influence over the State Department — does not alleviate their cynicism.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exercise influence over", ensure the context clearly indicates the source and extent of the influence being exerted. This phrase is most effective when the influence is deliberate and purposeful.

Common error

Avoid using "exercise influence over" when the influence is accidental or indirect. This phrase implies a conscious effort to affect something or someone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise influence over" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of exerting power or authority to affect someone or something. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase. It commonly appears in contexts where direct control or persuasion is discussed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exercise influence over" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of exerting power or authority. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedia contexts. It is best used when describing intentional and direct influence, and one should avoid using it in situations where the influence is unintentional. Alternatives include "wield authority over" and "exert control over", which offer nuanced variations of the same core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert influence on

Changes the preposition from "over" to "on", slightly altering the focus but maintaining the core meaning.

wield authority over

Replaces "influence" with "authority", suggesting a more formal or legitimate power.

exert control over

Substitutes "influence" with "control", indicating a stronger, more direct form of power.

have sway over

Uses "sway" instead of "influence", implying a persuasive or indirect effect.

bring pressure to bear on

Emphasizes the act of applying force or persuasion to achieve a desired outcome.

dominate

Replaces the entire phrase with a single verb suggesting complete control or power.

manipulate

Suggests controlling influence, often in a negative or underhanded way.

impact

Implies a strong effect or influence without necessarily suggesting direct control.

affect

A more general term for having an effect on something, which may or may not involve direct influence.

shape

Suggests a more formative influence, guiding the development or direction of something.

FAQs

How can I use "exercise influence over" in a sentence?

You can use "exercise influence over" to describe the act of using one's power or authority to affect a decision or situation. For example, "The senator tried to "exert control over" the committee's vote".

What's a good substitute for "exercise influence over"?

Alternatives include phrases like "wield authority over", "exert control over", or "have sway over". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "exercise influence on" or "exercise influence over"?

While both are grammatically correct, "exercise influence over" is generally preferred when referring to direct control or authority. "Exercise influence on" is suitable for broader impacts or effects.

What does it mean to "exercise influence over" someone?

To "exercise influence over" someone means to use your position, power, or charisma to affect their decisions, actions, or opinions. It implies a degree of control or persuasion.