influence the course of events

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "influence the course of events" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how actions or decisions can affect the outcome of a situation or series of occurrences. Example: "The new policy is expected to significantly influence the course of events in the upcoming election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Washington has wasted precious time in using diplomatic, economic and military levers to influence the course of events in Syria.

The New York Times

This "lean back and wait" approach has squandered precious opportunity to influence the course of events in the Middle East.

The New York Times

Keynes once referred self-deprecatingly to his own writing as "the croakings of a Cassandra who could never influence the course of events in time".

The New York Times - Books

Magical thinking, the belief that one's ideas, thoughts, actions, words, or use of symbols can influence the course of events in the material world.

Britannica

"We all have the feeling that nothing we can do will any longer influence the course of events," she said in a speech in 1976.

The New York Times

It is, of course, a male society in which women have found ways to manipulate policies and influence the course of events, but from the shadows of the anderoun, the women's section of the palace.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Has ever a human influenced the course of events?

The Guardian

Magic: "Influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces".

Materials Today

In the conflict between the Welf (Guelf) Otto IV and his Hohenstaufen opponents following the death of Henry VI, Hermann influenced the course of events by frequently changing sides.

Britannica

Yet their sense of urgency has not permeated society at large, and it certainly does not seem to be influencing the course of events in Washington, where climate legislation stalled last year.

The New York Times

The study shows how ERP-implementation can impact the interests of stakeholders of the ERP-system and how these groups may react by influencing the course of events, for example by altering the design and implementation in ways that are more consistent with their interests.

International Journal of Project Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the subject performing the influencing action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, 'Economic policy can influence the course of events' is clearer than 'Events can be influenced'.

Common error

Avoid using "influence the course of events" when the actual impact is minimal or uncertain. Overstating influence can weaken your argument and credibility. Instead, use phrases that reflect the true degree of impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "influence the course of events" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating the exertion of power or control to alter the progression or direction of happenings. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's use in diverse contexts, from political to personal, to depict the act of affecting outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "influence the course of events" is a versatile expression used to describe actions that affect how a situation unfolds. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While "influence" suggests a more subtle impact, "shape" or "determine" can imply stronger effects. Remember to clearly define the subject exerting the influence to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of overstating the actual impact to maintain credibility. Alternative phrases like "affect the course of events" or "shape the course of events" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shape the course of events

Changes the verb to 'shape', emphasizing a more direct and forceful impact.

affect the course of events

Uses 'affect' as a more general term for having an impact.

impact the sequence of events

Replaces 'course' with 'sequence', focusing on the order of occurrences.

alter the direction of events

Emphasizes changing the 'direction' rather than the overall 'course'.

sway the flow of events

Uses 'sway' and 'flow' to suggest a more gentle or persuasive influence.

determine the outcome of events

Focuses specifically on 'outcome' suggesting a decisive influence.

control the unfolding of events

Implies a greater degree of power or manipulation over how things happen.

guide the trajectory of events

Uses 'trajectory' to suggest a planned or guided direction.

have a hand in shaping events

More idiomatic and suggests a personal involvement in influencing events.

play a role in steering events

Suggests a contributory but not necessarily dominant influence.

FAQs

How can I use "influence the course of events" in a sentence?

You can use "influence the course of events" to describe actions or factors that affect how a situation unfolds. For example: "Diplomatic efforts can "shape the course of events" in international conflicts."

What can I say instead of "influence the course of events"?

You can use alternatives like "affect the course of events", "shape the course of events", or "determine the outcome of events" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "influence the course of events" or "impact the course of events"?

Both "influence the course of events" and "impact the course of events" are acceptable. "Influence" suggests a more subtle effect, while "impact" can imply a stronger or more direct effect. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "influence the course of events" and "influence the outcome of events"?

"Influence the course of events" refers to affecting how events unfold over time, while "influence the outcome of events" focuses specifically on affecting the final result. "Influence the outcome of events" emphasizes the end result.