influenced my thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "influenced my thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how someone or something has affected your thoughts or perspective on a particular topic. Example: "The book I read last week really influenced my thinking about climate change and its impact on our future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I think getting away from town a little bit influenced my thinking.

Independent

My rental experiences have influenced my thinking.

The Guardian - Money

It might have influenced my thinking if I'd had that information, but I'm not sure.

The New Yorker

"While my encounter with the Five Percenters influenced my thinking about race and religion," Mr. Knight writes, "something else happened, something deeper than intellectual positions".

The New York Times

While a detailed look at flexible models is beyond the scope of this paper, these approaches have influenced my thinking on this topic.

Functional Linguistics

As she noted: Teachers have a great impact on their students' thinking as my own teachers influenced my thinking profoundly about science and religion....Students' minds shouldn't contradict science and religion.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I can try to, but I can't say that it wouldn't influence my thinking.

The New Yorker

That certainly has influenced my way of thinking about films.

Huffington Post

My ID was still legally female then, which partially influenced my choice of restroom, thinking it would help me avoid trouble.

Huffington Post

I have been influenced in my thinking by both West and East.

Independent

I have been influenced in my thinking by both west and east.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs than "influenced" if a more impactful change occurred. Options include transformed, reshaped, or revolutionized.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures the source of influence. Instead of "My thinking was influenced by...", try "[Source] influenced my thinking" for a more direct and engaging sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "influenced my thinking" functions as a way to express how external factors or experiences have shaped one's cognitive processes, beliefs, or perspectives. According to Ludwig AI, it's a valid expression in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

27%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "influenced my thinking" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe how something has shaped one's thoughts or perspectives. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in various contexts. While "uncommon" in overall frequency, it appears most often in news and media sources, as well as in scientific publications. When using this phrase, clarity can be improved by specifying what exactly influenced your thinking and the nature of that influence. Alternatives such as "shaped my perspective" or "affected my viewpoint" can offer different nuances. This phrase serves as a straightforward way to acknowledge the impact of external factors on cognitive processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shaped my perspective

Implies a broader, more fundamental change in viewpoint.

affected my viewpoint

Focuses on the impact on a particular point of view.

colored my judgment

Suggests a subtle and possibly biased effect on decision-making.

molded my opinion

Emphasizes the shaping of a firmly held belief.

impacted my reasoning

Highlights the effect on the logical thought process.

guided my understanding

Indicates a directional influence on comprehension.

changed my mind

Focuses on a complete alteration of one's stance.

altered my perception

Emphasizes a shift in how something is perceived or understood.

reshaped my beliefs

Indicates a significant transformation of core convictions.

played a role in my consideration

Suggests that something was a factor but not necessarily the only one.

FAQs

What does "influenced my thinking" mean?

The phrase "influenced my thinking" means that something or someone has had an effect on your thoughts, opinions, or perspective. It suggests a change or development in your understanding or approach to a particular topic.

How can I use "influenced my thinking" in a sentence?

You can use "influenced my thinking" to explain how something has shaped your perspective. For example, you could say "Reading that book significantly "shaped my perspective" on the issue" or "My mentor's advice greatly influenced my thinking about my career path."

What are some alternatives to "influenced my thinking"?

Some alternatives to "influenced my thinking" include ""shaped my perspective"", "affected my viewpoint", "colored my judgment", or "molded my opinion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "influenced my thinking" or "had an influence on my thinking"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "influenced my thinking" is more concise and direct. "Had an influence on my thinking" is more verbose but can be used for emphasis or variety in your writing.