exert influence on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'exert influence on' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how an individual or a group of people can attempt to shape someone's decisions or affect someone's behavior. For example, "The manager tried to exert influence on his team to work harder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Opinion

But even when we're aware of them, such ads exert influence on us.

Stanford University

They exert influence on the margins, but sometimes in important ways.

The Washington Post

It was unquestioningly assumed that the dead continued to exert influence on the living.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moscovici's genetic model proposes that any member of a group can potentially exert influence on others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The recently deceased might exert influence on the living for good or for bad.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They would also reach out to friends in the Vatican, such as Cardinal Kasper, to exert influence on their behalf.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, the individual and the community can use food choice as a pivotal way to exert influence on the environment.

Harvard University

He will also urge that the USG exert influence on Israel to ease humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

The Guardian

Therefore, we supposed that these effects may exert influence on the isoprenoid production.

Process Biochemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exert influence on" when you want to emphasize a deliberate or conscious effort to affect someone or something. This suggests a more active and intentional process than simply "having an influence."

Common error

Avoid using "exert influence on" when describing passive or unintentional effects. This phrase implies a proactive attempt to shape outcomes, not just a general effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exert influence on" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of applying or wielding influence on someone or something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in describing deliberate attempts to affect decisions or behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exert influence on" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes the act of intentionally trying to affect someone or something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used across various fields such as news, science, and academia. Alternatives such as "have an impact on" or "wield influence over" can be used to add nuance. It's important to remember that this expression implies a proactive attempt to shape outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and provides ample examples for correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Wield influence over

Emphasizes the power or control used to affect something.

Exert impact on

Focuses on the measurable effect or consequence of the action.

Exert leverage on

Highlights the use of a strategic advantage to influence.

Have an impact on

A more general way to describe affecting something.

Bring pressure to bear on

Suggests a more forceful or coercive method of influencing.

Exercise control over

Focuses on the aspect of domination in the interaction.

Bring to bear influence upon

A more formal and emphatic version of exerting influence.

Shape the direction of

Implies guiding or molding the course of something.

Affect the outcome of

Highlights the effect on the final result or consequence.

Play a role in

Indicates participation in influencing an event or situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "exert influence on" to describe a person or group deliberately trying to affect someone's decisions or behavior. For example, "Lobbyists often try to "wield influence over" lawmakers."

What phrases are similar to "exert influence on"?

Alternatives include "have an impact on", "exert impact on", or "bring pressure to bear on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "exert influence on" or "have influence on"?

"Exert influence on" implies a more active and intentional effort to shape outcomes, while "have influence on" simply suggests possessing the ability to affect something, whether actively or passively.

In what contexts is "exert influence on" most commonly used?

According to Ludwig, "exert influence on" is frequently found in "political science", business, and discussions of social dynamics, where conscious efforts to shape decisions or behaviors are central.