influence over

USAGE SUMMARY

"influence over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing the power or sway that one person or entity has over another. For example, "The president had considerable influence over the nation's economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

O.K. How did Dr. Paul gain such influence over Taylor?

The New Yorker

Has Nabokov, generally, had an influence over your fiction?

The New Yorker

"I have no influence over that".

The New Yorker

Another river, perhaps the river of his life, exerted a stronger influence over him.

The New Yorker

"There are all these unknown and unelected people who wield enormous influence over obscure topics.

The New Yorker

Still, he is encouraged by the degree of Rice's influence over the President.

The New Yorker

Democrats have rejected that message, but Netanyahu retains some influence over the deal's eventual implementation.

The New Yorker

Guzmán's influence over the public sector was not confined to law enforcement.

The New Yorker

But most indications are that it exercises great influence over Maliki's government.

The New Yorker

Iran and Russia are the only countries with influence over Assad and his inner circle.

The New Yorker

They have had a more sustained influence over the decades than any other entity.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "dictate", "command", or "regulate" if you intend to describe situations involving a higher degree of control instead of subtle influence.

Common error

Avoid assuming influence where only correlation exists. Just because two events coincide doesn't mean one has "influence over" the other; causation must be established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "influence over" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the ability to affect the actions, decisions, or character of someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe power or sway. It typically connects a subject exerting influence to an object being influenced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "influence over" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe the power or sway one entity has over another. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in a variety of contexts, predominantly in news and media. While phrases like "impact on" and "control over" offer similar meanings, "influence over" suggests a subtle yet significant level of affect. Remember to clearly define the influencer and the influenced when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity. Always make sure that if you are assuming an influence you have to demonstrate/show causation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control over

Emphasizes direct management and command.

authority over

Stresses the right to give commands or make decisions.

power over

Highlights the ability to affect someone's behavior.

impact on

Focuses on the effect rather than direct control.

sway over

Suggests persuasion or indirect control.

effect on

Highlights the outcome or result of actions.

effect upon

A more formal synonym for "effect on".

hold over

Indicates leverage or advantage.

grip on

Suggests a firm and often restrictive control.

dominion over

Implies supreme authority or ownership.

FAQs

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

You can use "influence over" to show how someone or something affects another, like "The media has a significant "impact on" public opinion".

What are some alternatives to "influence over"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "control over", "sway over", or "effect on".

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

While "have influence on" is acceptable, "influence over" typically suggests a more direct or controlling effect. It largely depends on the intended nuance.

How does "influence over" differ from "impact on"?

"Influence over" implies a degree of control or persuasive power, whereas ""impact on"" simply refers to an effect or result without necessarily implying control.