exert influence on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exert influence on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the impact or effect that one entity has on another, particularly in contexts like politics, social dynamics, or personal relationships. Example: "The organization aims to exert influence on public policy to promote environmental sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 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 the company also seeks to exert influence on EU political opinion via membership of additional lobbying organizations.

TechCrunch

Archives|PRO BASKETBALL; Agent Exerts Influence On Talks With N.B.A. PRO BASKETBALL; Agent Exerts Influence On Talks With N.B.A.

The New York Times - Sports

Through his decisions, he exerts influence on many businesses, particularly those in banking and finance.

The New York Times

They are exerting influence on us until we become conscious of them.

Huffington Post

--Details of efforts of HAMAS to exert influence over Palestinians to consolidate their support.

The Guardian

This digital-age spin on diplomacy uses unilateral diplomatic affairs to exert influence over strategies of tech giants.

TechCrunch

UPDATE 6 24 p.m.: Renacci's opponent, Rep. Jim Boccieri (D-Ohio) put out a statement about the incident: "Sadly, these voter intimidation tactics by this McDonald's franchise owner is another example of corporations exerting undue influence on our elections -- something we've seen all too often lately, including earlier this year in the Citizen's United decision.

HuffPost

The word translated here as "disposition" is derived from the Latin affectus, from the verb afficio, to do something to someone, to exert an influence on another body or another person, to bring another into a particular state of mind.

Harvard University

If so, in what way and on what specific policies did you hope to exert influence?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exert influence on something", ensure that the subject performing the action is clearly defined. This clarifies who or what is affecting the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "exert influence on something" when the actual impact is minimal or uncertain. Choose a more nuanced phrase if the influence is subtle or indirect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exert influence on something" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of applying power or pressure to affect a particular outcome or entity. This implies a deliberate effort to shape or alter something, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exert influence on something" is a grammatically correct and actively used expression that describes the deliberate act of affecting or shaping an outcome or entity. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, its usage frequency is hard to determine due to the lack of exact matches in the provided data. However, it is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, clarity and precision are key to ensure the intended meaning is effectively conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affect something

A more direct and concise way of saying "exert influence on something", using a single verb.

impact something

Similar to "have an impact on", but uses "impact" as a verb.

have an impact on something

Replaces the verb "exert" with the more common verb "have" and uses the noun "impact" instead of "influence".

shape something

Implies a stronger degree of influence, suggesting the ability to mold or define the outcome.

mold something

Similar to "shape", suggesting a formative influence.

sway something

Suggests influencing someone's opinion or decision.

guide something

Suggests directing or steering something towards a certain path.

determine something

Implies a decisive influence, where the outcome is directly controlled.

bring something to bear on something

More formal and emphasizes the application of power or resources to influence something.

have a hand in something

Suggests involvement and influence, but not necessarily complete control.

FAQs

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

You can use "exert influence on something" to describe the act of having an impact on someone or something. For example, "The organization aims to exert influence on public policy".

What can I say instead of "exert influence on something"?

You can use alternatives like "affect something", "have an impact on something", or "shape something" depending on the context.

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

"Exert influence on" suggests a more active and deliberate effort to affect something, while "have influence on" simply indicates that something possesses the capacity to affect something.

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

"Exert influence on" typically refers to affecting a process or outcome, while "wield influence over" implies having power or control over people.