gain influence over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gain influence over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of acquiring power or control over someone or something, often in a social, political, or organizational context. Example: "The organization aims to gain influence over local policies to better serve the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

In the 19th century, Japan and China fought to gain influence over the Korean Peninsula.

The New York Times

The board appointments, supported by shareholders, are the latest development in the battle to gain influence over PG&E.

The New York Times

And any party that joins the new Serbian government will also gain influence over the police and judiciary in Sandzak.

The Economist

But Baghdadi sought to gain influence over the increasingly powerful Jabhat al-Nusra by directly expanding ISI's operations into Syria, forming Isis in April last year.

The Guardian

In spite of these scores, it is still possible that power-hungry Hungarian politicians would want to gain influence over the media.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fourteen years later, amateur basketball has grown more cutthroat as more individuals than ever attempt to gain influence over top prospects at younger ages.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

How had baboons gained influence over the education of Ghanaian children?

The New Yorker

They also want to prevent the United States from gaining influence over any more Syrian territory.

The Washington Post

However, the skeptics about free trade have been gaining influence over the past decade.

Harvard Business Review

Both progressed from being news producers to news division presidents and network presidents, then to gaining influence over entirely different media industries.

The New York Times

As a customary principle, it will be more easily invoked, and more readily considered binding, gaining influence over trade and investment practices.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gain influence over", consider the specific type of influence being acquired. Is it political, social, economic, or something else? Be precise in your language to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of influence gained. Use qualifiers like "some", "significant", or "limited" to accurately represent the actual impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain influence over" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of acquiring or increasing one's power or control over someone or something. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis and various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gain influence over" is a commonly used and grammatically sound verb phrase that describes the process of acquiring power or control. As noted by Ludwig, it is correct and applicable in diverse contexts, particularly within News & Media and Encyclopedias. To enhance clarity, consider specifying the type of influence (political, social, economic) and avoiding overstatements about its extent. Alternatives such as "acquire sway over" or "exert control over" can provide nuanced expressions of this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire sway over

Focuses on obtaining a persuasive power or control.

exert control over

Emphasizes the exercise of existing power.

establish dominance over

Implies a more comprehensive and sustained form of control.

secure leverage over

Highlights the use of strategic advantage to affect decisions.

wield power over

Suggests the active and skillful application of authority.

dominate

A concise verb form indicating complete control.

take control of

Focuses on the action of assuming command.

extend authority to

Implies a broadening of one's power or jurisdiction.

build influence within

Focuses on slowly creating influence within a defined sphere.

increase sway in

Suggests a gradual rise in persuasive power.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "gain influence over" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "exert control over", "establish dominance over", or "secure leverage over".

Is there a difference between "gain influence over" and "gain authority over"?

"Gain influence over" implies acquiring the ability to affect decisions or actions, while "gain authority over" suggests acquiring the formal right to command or enforce rules. The former is about persuasion, the latter about legitimacy.

What are some synonyms for "gain influence over" in a political context?

In a political context, you might use synonyms such as "acquire sway over", "wield power over", or "extend authority to" to describe the act of "gain influence over".

How to use "gain influence over" in a sentence?

You can use "gain influence over" in a sentence like this: "The organization aims to gain influence over local policies to better serve the community", or "The company tried to gain influence over the negotiations by donating to the campaign".