influence the path

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "influence the path" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how certain factors or decisions can affect the direction or course of something, such as a project, journey, or life choices. Example: "The mentor's advice helped to influence the path I chose for my career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"The government can influence the path taken".

The New Yorker

"The Brexit and Scottish devolution debates might influence the path of the pound quicker than we think," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Between now and next year, factors other than the stance of monetary policy will influence the path of recovery.

The Economist

But the "grey" or "chintz" revolt, as the protests by thousands of furious pensioners have been christened, may influence the path of Mr Putin's presidency.

The Economist

In a closely watched decision that could influence the path of other states, California regulators decided last month to effectively double the amount of solar power capacity eligible for net metering.

The New York Times

The route is not pre-programmed, and pilots did not manipulate controls to influence the path that the drone takes.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

31 Registries and registry consortia, such as the International Consortium of Orthopaedic Registries, 32 are important and critical developments but they cannot influence the paths and loopholes associated with introduction of device related technologies on the commercial market.

British Medical Journal

This flaunting of tradition and the official art establishment paved the way for the revolutionary work of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Manet also influenced the path of much 19th- and 20th-century art through his choice of subject matter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He said that this narrow approach was flawed, because it failed to account for other factors influencing the path of long-term interest rates – the so-called "yield curve" – such as global risks driving up demand for safer investments.

Independent

But the report concluded: "No investigations, nor the inquiry, have uncovered evidence of corruption or collusion which could have adversely affected or otherwise influenced the path of the original investigation or subsequent investigations".

BBC

It concluded: "No investigations, nor the inquiry, have uncovered evidence of corruption or collusion which could have adversely affected or otherwise influenced the path of the original investigation or subsequent investigations".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "influence the path", be specific about what is doing the influencing and what path is being affected. This adds clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of influence. Instead of saying something 'completely influenced the path', consider using 'significantly influenced the path' if the impact was not absolute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "influence the path" functions as a verb phrase, where "influence" is the transitive verb and "the path" is the direct object. It describes the action of affecting the direction or course of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "influence the path" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the act of affecting the direction or course of something. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is correctly and acceptably used. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, with reputable sources like The New Yorker and The Guardian providing examples. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; specify what is influencing and what path is being altered. While semantically related phrases like "affect the trajectory" or "shape the direction" exist, "influence the path" remains a versatile and appropriate choice for a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affect the trajectory

This alternative refers to influencing the direction of something, like a career or project, by altering its calculated course.

shape the direction

This alternative suggests a more active role in determining the course or route something takes.

impact the trajectory

The term 'impact' is used instead of 'influence', implying a stronger effect on the course.

guide the route

This suggests a more directive approach, like advising someone on a path to take.

steer the course

This alternative implies actively managing or controlling the direction of something.

determine the outcome

This focuses on impacting the result, not just the direction, of a process or situation.

mold the future

This carries a stronger sense of actively crafting or forming the future.

affect the journey

This uses the word "journey" instead of "path" and suggests something will impact it.

change the direction

This alternative indicates a redirection or alteration of the present course.

have a bearing on the route

This suggests something is related to and may alter the route.

FAQs

How can I use "influence the path" in a sentence?

You can use "influence the path" to describe how something affects the direction or course of an event, project, or person's life. For example, "The new regulations could influence the path of economic recovery".

What is a good alternative to "influence the path"?

Alternatives include "affect the trajectory", "shape the direction", or "guide the route", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "influence the path" differ from "determine the path"?

"Influence the path" implies a partial effect on the direction, while "determine the path" suggests complete control over it. One is a contributing factor, the other is the deciding factor.

Is it appropriate to use "influence the path" in formal writing?

Yes, "influence the path" is appropriate for formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in academic, news, and business contexts.