he was influenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he was influenced' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are trying to explain that someone was impacted or affected by someone else's actions, attitudes, or beliefs. For example, "He was heavily influenced by his father's passionate speeches about the power of education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Later he was influenced by Paul Gauguin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Probably he was influenced unconsciously".

The Guardian

He was influenced by this philosophy".

The New Yorker

He was influenced by swing, which Mr. Caymmi wasn't.

The New York Times - Arts

Later he was influenced by Hemingway, Faulkner, early Roth.

The Guardian - Books

"He was influenced by his aunt, who brought him up".

The Guardian - Film

In his early paintings he was influenced by Post-Impressionism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Later, in Shīrāz, he was influenced by Sufi (mystical) teachings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was influenced by Correggio, Raphael and Michelangelo.

Independent

He was influenced by the psychoanalysts Karen Horney and Wilhelm Reich.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Andrews has labelled suggestions he was influenced by the lobbyists' donations "offensive".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was influenced", be specific about who or what exerted the influence to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid stating simply that "he was influenced" without specifying the source or nature of the influence. Without context, the statement lacks informative value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was influenced" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received an effect from an external source. As Ludwig examples show, it often highlights the impact of ideas, people, or events on an individual's development or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was influenced" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to denote that someone's thoughts, actions, or style has been affected by an external source. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its prevalence across news, encyclopedias, and academic sources makes it a versatile phrase for expressing influence. When using this phrase, specifying the source of influence will enhance clarity. Consider alternatives like "he was affected by" or "he was impacted by" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was affected by

This alternative focuses on the direct impact or effect something had on him.

he was impacted by

This alternative is similar to 'affected by' but can imply a more significant or profound effect.

he was molded by

This alternative suggests a shaping or formative influence, implying a lasting change.

he was shaped by

Similar to 'molded by', this emphasizes the formative nature of the influence.

he drew inspiration from

This emphasizes the positive aspect of influence, where he actively gained inspiration.

he took cues from

This suggests that he observed and followed the example or guidance of something or someone.

he emulated

This implies that he consciously imitated or followed the example of someone.

he was guided by

This suggests a sense of direction or leadership provided by the influence.

he was swayed by

This implies a persuasive influence that changed his opinion or course of action.

his perspective was altered by

This emphasizes how his viewpoint changed due to the influence.

FAQs

How can I use "he was influenced" in a sentence?

Use "he was influenced" to indicate that someone's thoughts, actions, or style was affected by someone or something else. For example, "He was influenced by the works of Shakespeare."

What's the difference between "he was influenced" and "he was affected"?

"He was influenced" implies a more subtle or indirect effect on someone's thinking or behavior, whereas "he was affected" suggests a more direct and potentially stronger impact. For similar expressions, you can try "he was affected by".

What are some synonyms for "he was influenced"?

Alternatives include "he was affected by", "he was impacted by", or "he drew inspiration from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he was influence"?

No, the correct phrasing is "he was influenced". "Influenced" is the past participle of the verb "influence" and is required for the passive voice construction.