influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'influence' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something affects another person, process, or event. For example: "His positive attitude has had a lasting influence on his peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Britain's national interest demands that we maximise our influence and use that influence to boost growth, trade and jobs.

The Guardian

The former European trade commissioner said: "For far too long, those who want to destroy Britain's interests and influence in Europe have been allowed to get away with murder with the lies and false propaganda they have poured out about the European Union and what it represents for our country.

The Guardian

But in the end it all comes down to values, not money or weapons or insider influence.

The Guardian

I intend to continue listening to our clients and letting them influence how the business develops in the future.

The Guardian

By the age of 20, Schiele was being recognised as the heir to Klimt and indeed Klimt's early influence on Schiele's graphic style is very obvious and understandable.

The Guardian - Arts

This indirect electoral maths suggests that Ukip's outsize influence on the national debate (relative to their parliamentary presence) could be set to continue as the major parties seek to fend off the threat in their key marginal constituencies.

The Guardian

"He just hasn't got the leadership or influence to craft a more ambitious proposal.

The Guardian

But, Abu Ahmed recalled, the jailers had a very different impression of Baghdadi – they saw him as a conciliatory and calming influence in an environment short on certainty, and turned to him to help resolve conflicts among the inmates.

The Guardian

It is an act of passive resistance against the power and influence of the fashion industry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

People may well make all sorts of extravagant claims when they are trying to obtain funds for organisations, but the evidential trail would have to prove they had enough influence with those at the other end of the scale to actually deliver what they promised".

The Guardian

Aasheim said the passage of the concealed-carry bill did not influence the decision of the wildlife agency to introduce its bill.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "influence" to describe the capacity or power to have an effect on someone or something, especially when the effect is indirect or subtle. For instance, "The media has a significant influence on public opinion."

Common error

Avoid using "influence" when you mean "effect" as a result. "Influence" is the power to affect something, while "effect" is the result itself. For example, say "The effect of the policy was immediate", not "The influence of the policy was immediate".

Linguistic Context

The word "influence" functions as both a noun, denoting the power to affect someone or something, and a verb, meaning to have an effect on. As Ludwig AI underlines, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "influence" is a versatile term used both as a noun and a verb to describe the power or act of affecting something or someone. As noted by Ludwig AI, the word is correct and widely used in English. The usage of "influence" spans across various contexts, from news and media to formal business and scientific writing. It's important to distinguish "influence" from "effect"; "influence" is the capacity to affect, while "effect" is the result. Related terms include "affect", "impact", and "sway". Understanding these nuances ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affect

A more general term for having an effect.

impact

A more direct and forceful effect.

have an effect on

Focuses on the result of influence, rather than the act itself.

determine

Indicates a decisive role in shaping something.

exert pressure on

Implies a more forceful or direct form of influence.

mold

Suggests a gradual and formative influence.

sway someone's opinion

Specifically refers to changing someone's beliefs or thoughts.

manipulate

Implies a controlling and potentially deceptive influence.

shape the course of

Suggests a broader, more long-term influence.

have a bearing on

Indicates relevance or connection, a subtle form of influence.

FAQs

How can I use "influence" in a sentence?

You can use "influence" as a noun to describe the power to affect someone or something. For example: "She had a strong influence on my career choices." You can also use it as a verb, as in: "His teachings influenced generations of students."

What are some synonyms for "influence"?

Alternatives to "influence" include "affect", "impact", "sway", and "shape". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "influence" and "persuade"?

"Influence" implies a more subtle and indirect effect on someone's thoughts or actions, while "persuade" suggests a more direct attempt to convince someone to do something.

Is it correct to say someone has "a lot of influence" or "much influence"?

Both "a lot of influence" and "much influence" are grammatically correct. "Much influence" is generally used with uncountable nouns like "influence", while "a lot of influence" is a more informal way of expressing the same idea.