have influence on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have influence on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a person or thing that has an effect on a particular situation or outcome. For example, "In this community, parents have influence on what their children do and learn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have influence on her.

The New York Times

Doesn't that have influence on young men?

Independent

"If we want to have influence on the island, what makes sense?" he said.

The New York Times

"Now you realise that you don't really have influence on the dynamics of the systems in which you are.

The Guardian

She told the Guardian: "How can we expect to have influence on standards around the world when we do this?

The Guardian

Their hope now is to send a few delegates to the party's convention and have influence on the party platform.

The New York Times

After all, electoral-representative democracy is a set of arrangements that enable ordinary citizens to have influence on government.

The Guardian - Opinion

"All I'm saying is, artists in pop culture have influence on people," Lovato continued in a longer statement.

The Guardian - Music

Did the mobile apps have influence on this?

TechCrunch

These new mobilities have influence on the economy.

European Transport Research Review

Both HI and TI have influence on it.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have influence on", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what is exerting the influence and the object specifies what is being affected.

Common error

Avoid confusing "affect" (a verb meaning to influence) with "effect" (a noun meaning a result). "Have influence on" should be used when you want to emphasize the action of influencing, not the resulting effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have influence on" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the capacity or power to affect someone or something. It describes the act of exerting influence rather than stating a resultant condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have influence on" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the capacity to affect or alter something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its prevalence in both scientific and news contexts underscores its widespread applicability. When using this phrase, make sure to clearly identify the influencer and the influenced. While alternatives like "affect" or "impact" exist, "have influence on" provides a nuanced way to express a guiding or persuasive effect, as demonstrated by the many examples Ludwig provides.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affect

This is a more concise synonym, suitable for situations where a direct effect is implied.

exert impact on

This alternative uses "exert impact" which emphasizes the active application of influence, differing slightly in tone from the original.

have a bearing on

Similar to 'bear upon', indicating relevance or connection.

shape

Implies a more formative and directional influence, suggesting the ability to mold or define something.

mold

Similar to 'shape', it implies a strong influence that determines the final form of something.

sway

This suggests an influence that alters someone's opinion or course of action.

leave its mark on

This idiom suggests a lasting and often visible impact.

bear upon

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative, suggesting relevance or consequence.

condition

Suggests an influence that sets the circumstances or requirements for something.

determine

This suggests a decisive influence that dictates the outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "have influence on" to indicate that someone or something affects the outcome or behavior of someone or something else. For instance, "Parents "have influence on" their children's decisions".

What are some alternatives to "have influence on"?

You can use alternatives such as "affect", "impact", or "shape" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Both "have influence on" and "have an influence on" are grammatically correct, but "have influence on" is more common. The use of "an" depends on whether you want to emphasize the influence as a distinct entity.

What's the difference between "have influence on" and "have impact on"?

"Have influence on" suggests a persuasive or guiding effect, whereas "have impact on" implies a more direct and forceful effect. The choice depends on the context and the type of effect you wish to describe.