external influences

USAGE SUMMARY

"external influences" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to any kind of external factor which has an effect or influence on a situation. For example: "The success of our business has been affected by external influences such as changes in the economic climate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Arjouni's fascination with the form was shaped by external influences.

The Guardian - Books

Like Cage before him, Marclay strives to open the process of composition to external influences.

The Guardian - Music

We must now overhaul how we regulate the relationship between MPs and external influences.

The Guardian - Opinion

Landlocked and resource-poor, the country is at risk of unwelcome external influences.

The New York Times

"It is critical to minimize external influences on the interrogation process," Admiral Jacoby wrote.

The New York Times

You can't rid your country of internal problems when you have external influences.

The Guardian

"Outsiders overemphasize external influences rather than the weavers themselves," Ms. Brinckerhoff said.

The New York Times

This ensured that internal body rhythms could be investigated independently of external influences.

The Guardian

One of them, the "idols of the cave", refers to our conceptual biases and susceptibility to external influences.

The Guardian - Tech

I don't think we actually fell out over the lack of friendship or trust, I think it was external influences".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There are essentially four periods during which the region was strongly affected by external influences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "external influences", clearly specify what these influences are to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of stating "the project failed due to external influences", specify "the project failed due to external influences such as market volatility and supply chain disruptions".

Common error

Avoid using "external influences" as a vague catch-all explanation. Instead, identify and describe the specific external factors at play to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "external influences" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing factors affecting various scenarios, from political landscapes to scientific experiments. It refers to the power that something external has to cause an effect on someone or something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "external influences" is a commonly used noun phrase that denotes factors originating outside a system or entity that affect it. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples, confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like ""outside factors"" or ""exogenous variables"" exist, the core meaning remains consistent: identifying and categorizing the external elements that cause an effect. To enhance clarity in writing, it's best to specify what these influences are, avoiding vague generalities. According to Ludwig, it's a versatile and valuable phrase for expressing cause and effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outside factors

Replaces "influences" with "factors", emphasizing the elements rather than their impact.

external pressures

Substitutes "influences" with "pressures", suggesting a more forceful impact.

environmental impacts

Focuses on the effects of the environment, which is a specific type of external influence.

exogenous factors

Replaces "external" with "exogenous", using a more technical term.

third-party effects

Highlights the involvement of external parties influencing outcomes.

extraneous variables

Emphasizes the influence of variables that are not part of the core system being studied.

outside forces

Replaces "influences" with "forces", suggesting a stronger, more direct impact.

external determinants

Focuses on factors that define or determine a situation from the outside.

contextual factors

Highlights the broader circumstances influencing an event or situation.

supervening causes

Emphasizes that the cause occurs later in time and alters events.

FAQs

How can I use "external influences" in a sentence?

You can use "external influences" to describe factors outside of a system or entity that have an impact on it. For example, "The company's profits were affected by "external economic factors"".

What are some alternatives to using "external influences"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "outside factors", "exogenous variables", or "environmental impacts".

What's the difference between "external influences" and "internal factors"?

"External influences" refer to factors originating from outside a system, while "internal factors" are conditions or elements within the system itself. One relates to the outside while the other relates to the inside.

How do "external influences" affect decision-making?

"External influences" can introduce biases or constraints that alter rational decision-making processes. They can be positive or negative factors that affect the situation at hand. Some examples are peer pressure, political climate, or economic trends.