exert an influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"exert an influence" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to have an impact or effect on something or someone. Example: The new government policies are expected to exert a positive influence on the economy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The combines also exert an influence.

The New York Times

I would hope to exert an influence that will benefit the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Some foods are more desirable than others and exert an influence on our behaviour toward them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Max Pearmain, the editor of men's magazine Arena Homme Plus, believes West will continue to exert an influence in 2015.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And the influence runs the other way: inspired directors and their designers continue to exert an influence on architecture.

The Guardian - Arts

Two supermarkets continued to exert an influence in 2015 that, even taking into account their rapid growth, far outstripped their size.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The hip-hop generation now has deep enough pockets in its saggy jeans to exert an influence at the box office.

The Guardian - Music

But throughout Kent's 20 years at the Tricycle he has regularly seen his work go on to exert an influence on public opinion and policy-making.

The Guardian

Still, easing them is now on the table, at a time when America may be especially keen to exert an influence, for three reasons.

The Economist

Another of Richelieu's protégés, Jean Chapelain, began in the 1630s to exert an influence similar to that of Malherbe a generation earlier.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The testis is also the source of some of the female sex hormone estrogen, which may exert an influence on pituitary activity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exert an influence" when you want to emphasize a deliberate or significant impact on something. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the level of formality.

Common error

Avoid confusing "affect" (verb) with "effect" (noun). While "exert an influence" is correct, ensure you don't mistakenly write "exert an effect" when you mean to describe the action of influencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exert an influence" functions as a verb phrase, where "exert" is the verb indicating the action of applying or wielding, and "an influence" is the noun phrase representing the effect or impact being applied. Ludwig examples show its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exert an influence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying the act of having an impact or effect. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples spanning News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. While alternatives like "exercise influence" and "have an impact" exist, "exert an influence" often suggests a more deliberate or significant application of influence. When employing this phrase, be mindful of the proper use of "affect" vs "effect" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercise influence

Replaces "exert" with "exercise", emphasizing the active use of influence.

have an impact

Focuses on the effect rather than the action of influencing.

make an impact

Similar to "have an impact", highlighting the creation of an effect.

wield power

Emphasizes the control and authority associated with influence.

have an effect on

Directly states the action of affecting something.

impact

Concise way to express having an effect.

affect

A more direct verb for causing change.

shape

Suggests a stronger degree of influence, implying the ability to mold something.

sway

Implies influencing someone's opinion or decision.

bear on

Indicates relevance or consequence for something.

FAQs

How can I use "exert an influence" in a sentence?

You can use "exert an influence" to describe how something or someone affects a situation or person. For example, "The media can "exert an influence" on public opinion."

What are some alternatives to "exert an influence"?

Alternatives include "exercise influence", "have an impact", or "make an impact", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "exert influence" or "exert an influence"?

"Exert an influence" is generally preferred because "influence" is a countable noun in this context. Omitting "an" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "exert an influence" and "wield an influence"?

"Exert an influence" generally means to have an effect, while "wield an influence" suggests a more deliberate and powerful application of influence.