have virtually no influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have virtually no influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has an insignificant or minimal impact on a particular outcome or decision. Example: "Despite the numerous discussions, the committee's recommendations have virtually no influence on the final decision made by the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The uncertainties on the absorbances (sample and standard), volumetric flasks and volumetric pipettes have virtually no influence on the overall uncertainty.

Measurement

As professor Martin Gilens of Princeton, who studied the correlation between American popular opinion polls and public policy outcomes, concluded: "[T]he preferences of economic elites have far more independent impact upon policy change than the preferences of average citizens do... ordinary citizens have virtually no influence over what their government does in the United States".

The Guardian - Opinion

They are excluded from the very definition of the "Jewish state", and have virtually no influence on the laws, or political, social and economic policies.

Huffington Post

My criteria are significant influence and negative impact, which leaves out justices like John Rutledge, James Byrnes, and Thomas Johnson who each served for slightly more than a year, and Clarence Thomas who appears to have virtually no influence.

Huffington Post

"I'd say that contrary to what decades of political science research might lead you to believe, ordinary citizens have virtually no influence over what their government does in the United States.

Huffington Post

It is important to note that the widespread practice of including the temporal derivatives of modeled responses in GLM analyses in order to account for temporal differences in HDR onset will have virtually no influence on estimates of RT-related activation in regions that show a time-on-task effect.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The other parameters had virtually no influence.

Measurement

It is, after all, a legal opposition party and, like other government-sanctioned parties, has virtually no influence.

The New York Times

The counter-ions in iron III) salt used for the oxidation and the presence of water-soluble polymers had virtually no influence on morphology and conductivity.

Polymer

Today he is 76 years old, the leader of an illegal, if tolerated, party that has virtually no influence in Iranian affairs.

The New York Times

Modern Scotland, too, is a nation that thrums with artistic and cultural endeavour, yet this sector has virtually no influence on how Homecoming Scotland is delivered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to indicate that something lacks direct control or sway over an outcome, consider the subtle nuance of "have virtually no influence" for a measured and precise articulation.

Common error

Avoid using "have virtually no influence" when there is some measurable, even if small, effect. Overstating the absence of influence can weaken your credibility. Always ensure the context accurately reflects near-total absence of impact. Use more moderate expressions (such as "limited impact") when a minimal effect is present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have virtually no influence" functions as a qualifier to describe the extent to which something affects or controls an outcome. It indicates that the subject in question has a negligible or near-zero impact, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have virtually no influence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey the idea that something has a minimal or negligible impact. Ludwig examples reveal its presence across diverse contexts like news, science, and formal business communication. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is appropriate for clearly stating the lack of importance of certain elements. Remember to ensure the context accurately reflects near-total absence of effect, because overstating this absence can reduce your credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have practically no influence

Substitutes "virtually" with "practically", conveying a similar meaning of near absence.

have almost no impact

Replaces "virtually" with "almost", slightly reducing the emphasis on the lack of influence.

have minimal effect

Substitutes "influence" with "effect", focusing on the outcome rather than the power to affect something.

exert little influence

Uses "exert" to describe the application of influence, implying a weaker force.

have a negligible impact

Replaces "virtually no" with "a negligible", highlighting the insignificance of the impact.

have hardly any influence

Uses "hardly any" to convey a near absence of influence.

scarcely affect

Uses "scarcely" to emphasize the minimal degree of impact.

carry little weight

Employs a metaphorical expression to suggest a lack of importance or influence.

are of little consequence

Shifts the focus to the lack of importance or significance of something.

have no real bearing

Indicates that something has no significant connection or relevance.

FAQs

How can I use "have virtually no influence" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate that something has a minimal or negligible effect on a particular outcome. For instance, "The opinions of ordinary citizens "have virtually no influence" on policy decisions."

What's a formal alternative to "have virtually no influence"?

In a more formal context, you could use "have a negligible impact" or "exert minimal influence". Both phrases convey a similar meaning of insignificance but in a more professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "have virtually no influence" in academic writing?

Yes, it is appropriate. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears in academic sources when discussing factors with minimal impact. Ensure that the claim is supported by evidence to maintain credibility.

What is the difference between "have virtually no influence" and "have little influence"?

"Have virtually no influence" suggests an almost complete lack of impact, while "have little influence" indicates a small, but still present, degree of impact. The choice depends on the accuracy of the statement in the specific context.