have influence over

USAGE SUMMARY

'have influence over' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone's ability to affect the behavior or decisions of a specific group or person. For example, "The politician has a great deal of influence over his constituents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They want to have influence over a decision that's made.

The New York Times - Magazine

"If Isis get Ajdabiya, then they have influence over the area," says Libyan analyst Mohamed Eljarh.

The Guardian

The country is believed to have influence over several Afghan insurgent commanders.

The Guardian

This board will have influence over the output and therefore over editorial decisions.

The Guardian

They want their voices to be heard and to have influence over their own lives.

The Guardian

Palin is competing for a position in which she will have influence over public policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added, "I wanted to have influence over the popular kids".

The New York Times

There are so many countries that have influence over this declaration".

The New York Times

As governor, Hogan would control appointments to state boards that have influence over gun policy.

The Washington Post

You don't need to be a leader in your organization to have influence over your downtime.

Harvard Business Review

"It's a lever to change the behavior of powerful people who you don't have influence over".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the impact of your message, use "have influence over" when you want to convey that someone's ideas, actions, or decisions can directly affect others.

Common error

Avoid overstating the extent of influence. Be realistic about how much control or impact someone truly has. Overclaiming can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have influence over" functions as a verb phrase expressing the ability to affect someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a way to show that an entity can change or guide the behavior, opinions, or decisions of others. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have influence over" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to express the ability to affect someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples showcasing its versatility. It is frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for various situations. While alternatives like "have an impact on" or "have control over" exist, the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about the scope of influence and avoid overstating its extent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert influence on

Changes the preposition to "on" maintaining the core concept of influence.

have an impact on

Replaces "influence" with "impact" shifting the focus to the effect produced.

have control over

Substitutes "influence" with "control" implying a more direct and authoritative power.

wield influence over

Replaces "have" with "wield" emphasizing the active exercise of influence.

have sway over

Uses "sway" instead of "influence", suggesting a persuasive or emotional impact.

affect

A more general term indicating the action of impacting something.

dominate

Indicates a stronger form of control or influence, implying superiority.

shape

Suggests a formative influence, guiding the development of something.

govern

Implies a formal or official control, often within a structured system.

direct

Conveys guidance and management, often with a specific purpose in mind.

FAQs

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

You can use "have influence over" to indicate that someone or something affects the actions, decisions, or opinions of others. For example, "The media "have influence over" public opinion".

What are some alternatives to "have influence over"?

Alternatives include "have an impact on", "have control over", or "exert influence on". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has influence on" instead of "has influence over"?

While both are used, "has influence over" is generally preferred when indicating direct control or sway. "Has influence on" is more general and can refer to a broader impact. For example, an event might "have an impact on" the economy.

What's the difference between "have influence over" and "have authority over"?

"Have authority over" implies a formal or legal right to control or command. "Have influence over" suggests a more subtle or informal power to affect decisions or actions, even without direct authority. For example, a parent "have influence over" their children, but a manager "have authority over" their employees.