exert influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"exert influence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone having a powerful effect on a situation or outcome. For example: "The political party is hoping to exert influence over the upcoming election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nicholson said it suggested a desire to exert influence.

The Guardian

For tactical reasons, they prefer to exert influence as outsiders.

The Guardian - Sport

Prashar asks if the UK was able to exert influence.

The Guardian

But, without "interfering", it is hard to exert influence.

The Economist

He can exert influence over another three, which the government controls.

The New York Times

Governors in both parties, however, have long sought to exert influence over authorities and commissions.

The New York Times

As the largest shareholder in the fund, the United States can exert influence on its policies.

The New York Times

But as soon as you become a public company, shareholders exert influence".

The Guardian

Shouldn't Congress exert influence over the drug companies, and not the other way around?

The New York Times

Even a single word, a single epithet, may exert influence on the viewer".

The Guardian - Opinion

Though the two would be nonvoting members, he said they could still exert influence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exert influence", specify the area or people being influenced to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "exert influence" without clarifying the extent or limitations of that influence. Overstating the effect can diminish credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exert influence" functions as a verb phrase where "exert" is the verb and "influence" is the noun acting as the object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and describes having a powerful effect. Examples demonstrate its usage in describing how entities actively affect situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exert influence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of actively applying power or authority to affect an outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Its prevalence in news, media, science, and formal business indicates its versatile application. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify the target of the influence. Common alternatives include "wield power", "exercise authority", and "have an impact".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert control

This alternative suggests a more direct and forceful management.

wield power

This alternative conveys a more direct and forceful application of control.

exercise authority

This suggests a formal or legitimate right to control.

sway decisions

This implies persuading someone to make a particular choice.

have an impact

This is a broader term that doesn't necessarily imply intentional influence.

affect policy

This is specific to influencing governmental or organizational rules.

bring pressure to bear

This suggests applying force to achieve a specific outcome.

carry weight

This implies having importance or significance that affects decisions.

shape outcomes

This focuses on the result of the influence, rather than the act of influencing.

drive change

This suggests initiating and directing a transformation.

FAQs

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

You can use "exert influence" to describe actions that affect outcomes, for example: "Lobbyists attempt to exert influence on legislators".

What are some alternatives to "exert influence"?

Depending on the context, you could use "wield power", "exercise authority", or "have an impact".

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

Both "exert influence on" and "exert influence over" are grammatically correct, but "exert influence on" is generally more common when referring to people or abstract concepts, while "exert influence over" is used for more direct control.

What's the difference between "exert influence" and "have influence"?

"Exert influence" implies an active effort to affect something, while "have influence" simply indicates that someone possesses the potential to affect something, even if they're not actively trying to.