exerts an influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exerts an influence" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the impact or effect one thing has on another. Example: "The teacher exerts an influence on her students' learning habits." Alternative expressions include "has an impact" and "affects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seats fewer than 200 people, yet Live exerts an influence disproportionate to its size.

The Guardian

In heterogeneous catalysis, pore size exerts an influence on reaction pathway, selectivity, equilibrium and adsorption constants.

Carbon

The environment in turn exerts an influence on the individual, requiring a process of reciprocity between person and environment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He also suggested that even in small-scale societies the individual exerts an influence on community institutions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But he listed two areas where the trust exerts an influence: the choice of the chief executive and whether to take the company public.

The New York Times

Bacon also exerts an influence on young artists of today, such as Peter Doig and other friskily decadent British-educated painters.

The New Yorker

Experimental results show that the acetic acid additive exerts an influence on the structure and filtration properties of membranes.

Journal of Membrane Science

One of the difficult problems to be solved is the extent to which cultural conditioning exerts an influence on the actual content of such experience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The two astronomers have found that it exerts an influence on several objects in the Kuiper Belt beyond Nepture, the furthest known planet from the Sun.

Independent

Such an association raises the question of how cognitive expertise exerts an influence on the topological properties of large-scale functional networks.

Brain Research

In this chapter we focus on the key economic sectors of business and education, highlighting how corruption exerts an influence on organizational dealings across multiple stakeholder touchpoints.

The Changing Face of Corruption in the Asia Pacific Current Perspectives and Future Challenges

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exerts an influence", consider specifying the nature and extent of the influence to provide a clearer understanding of the impact. For example, instead of saying "the environment exerts an influence", specify how the environment affects something, such as "the environment exerts a strong influence on plant growth".

Common error

Avoid using "exerts an influence" as a generic placeholder for any kind of effect. Ensure that the subject truly has a controlling or directional impact, not just a passive association. Choose a more specific verb if the relationship is weaker.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exerts an influence" functions as a verb phrase, where "exerts" is the verb indicating the action of applying or wielding influence, and "an influence" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exerts an influence" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe the act of having an impact on something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives like "has an impact" or "affects" exist, "exerts an influence" often suggests a more active or controlling effect. To enhance clarity, specify the nature and extent of the influence when using this phrase. Be cautious of overuse in vague contexts, and ensure the subject truly has a directional impact. With a source quality score of 86 and an expert rating of 4.5, "exerts an influence" proves to be a reliable and versatile phrase for expressing impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has an impact

Focuses on the effect rather than the act of influencing.

impacts

Similar to "has an impact", but often used in a more formal context.

affects

A more direct and general term for having an effect.

affects significantly

Emphasizes the degree of influence.

shapes

Implies a more formative or guiding influence.

plays a role

Highlights involvement or contribution.

carries weight

Indicates significance or importance.

bears upon

Suggests a relevance or connection to something.

sways

Suggests a persuasive or directional influence.

determines

Implies a decisive influence or outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "exerts an influence" to describe how something affects or shapes something else. For example, "The media "exerts an influence" on public opinion."

What are some alternatives to "exerts an influence"?

Some alternatives include "has an impact", "affects", or "shapes". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "exerts an influence" or "has an influence"?

"Exerts an influence" suggests a more active and direct effect, while "has an influence" is more general. Choose "exerts" when you want to emphasize the power or control of the influencing factor.

What's the difference between "exerts an influence" and "makes an influence"?

"Exerts an influence" is the correct and more common phrase. "Makes an influence" is less idiomatic; using "exerts an influence", "has an impact", or simply "affects" would be preferable.