have modest influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have modest influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone has a limited or slight impact on a particular outcome or context. Example: "The new policy changes may have modest influence on employee productivity, but we expect more significant results in the long term."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Iranians have modest influence and a lot of local knowledge, but America mistrusts them.

The Economist

The PNAS paper makes a key point: "These precipitation and temperature effects are statistically significant but have modest influence in terms of predictive power in a model with political, economic, and physical geographic predictors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The antiangiogenic activity of GS-168AT2 most probably accounts for most of its antitumour growth effect as GS-168AT2 has modest influence onto Calu-6 growth in vitro.

British Journal of Cancer

However, such shared environmental influences have modest effects and, at least for cognitive abilities, decline sharply in importance from childhood to adolescence (Deary et al., 2006).

Current Directions in Psychological Science

Many buildings have modest stoops.

The New York Times

Now I have modest expectations.

The New York Times - Books

We have modest goals".

The New York Times - Food

Most chefs he knows have modest kitchens.

The New York Times

These therapies have modest average benefits at a modest cost.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

However, studies have shown that in non-clinical samples chronic somatic problems [ 16] and demographic variations [ 31] have only modest influence on the HADS scores.

BMC Psychiatry

Phosphoglucomutase and UDPG-pyrophosphorylase have a modest influence, while the control exerted by glycogen synthase is null.

FEBS Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have modest influence" to accurately represent situations where the impact is limited, avoiding exaggeration or understatement. It's suitable when a factor contributes but isn't a primary driver.

Common error

Avoid using "have modest influence" when the impact is actually substantial. Ensure the adjective accurately reflects the degree of effect to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have modest influence" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the extent to which something or someone affects a particular outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a limited degree of impact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have modest influence" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies a limited or slight impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most frequently encountered in scientific and news-related contexts, indicating its utility in providing balanced assessments. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the adjective "modest" accurately reflects the true extent of the influence, avoiding overstatements or understatements. Alternative phrases such as "exert limited impact" or "play a minor role" can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a minor effect

Shifts focus to the effect, clarifying it is only minor or small.

exert limited impact

Focuses on the action of exerting influence, but emphasizes the limitation of the impact.

possess slight control

Highlights the aspect of control rather than general influence, suggesting a minimal degree of command.

produce a subtle impact

Highlights the subtlety of the impact, suggesting it is not immediately noticeable.

exercise moderate sway

Emphasizes the act of swaying or affecting something, indicating a medium level of influence.

play a small role

Emphasizes the participatory aspect but diminishes the significance of the role played.

wield marginal power

Focuses on the power aspect, specifying that it is only marginal or barely effective.

hold limited authority

Stresses the limitation in the authority held, signifying restricted influence in decision-making.

carry little weight

Indicates that the influence is small or insignificant, bearing minimal importance.

leave a faint mark

Uses a metaphor to convey the idea of minimal influence, likening it to a barely visible trace.

FAQs

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

You can use "have modest influence" to describe something that has a limited impact. For example, "The new regulations "have modest influence" on the overall economy".

What are some alternatives to "have modest influence"?

Alternatives include "have slight impact", "exert limited influence", or "play a minor role", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "have modest influence" or "have minimal influence"?

"Have modest influence" suggests a small but noticeable effect, while "have minimal influence" implies an even smaller, almost negligible effect. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual degree of impact.

What's the difference between "have modest influence" and "have significant influence"?

"Have modest influence" indicates a limited or small effect, while "have significant influence" suggests a substantial or major impact. The choice depends on the actual level of impact being described.