influences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "influences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the impact or effect that one thing has on another, often in contexts related to art, culture, behavior, or decision-making. Example: "The influences of classical music can be seen in many contemporary compositions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Lifestyle

Opinion

Science

Travel

Arts

Tech

Money

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As someone who has borrowed from folk influences, this is of a different class.

The Guardian - Music

In the 20th-century, as homophobic European Christian influences increased among many Native Americans, respect for same-sex love and for androgynous persons greatly declined.

The Guardian - Music

There was, however, some evidence of non-genetic influences.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Spanish might be the first language we learned growing up in Latin America, or the first language we learned being born in the US, but many Latinos do most of our formal learning in English – and it influences our understanding of the grammar and vocabulary of our mother tongue.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cox says: "The closer the decision-making is to the general public, the more they can actually see that their vote counts for something or that their voice influences something, the more likely it is they're going to get involved".

The Guardian

"But what about what's above it?" Wise and others spent years drawing up their submission to the IDA, collecting reams of light readings and stitching together an alliance of local councils, parks' bodies and community groups to produce an exterior lighting master plan that influences the construction of new developments in the area.

The Guardian

But we can hear other influences in it.

The Guardian - Music

What they said: "Our influences aren't all necessarily from music.

The Guardian - Music

Instead of correcting or avoiding the influences of such biases, our study aims to reduce these implicit biases at the first place".

The Guardian

Age UK funds the University of Edinburgh's The Disconnected Mind research project which examines how thinking skills alter with age and the influences behind those changes.

The Guardian

Is that because my influences unconsciously were always from other countries?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "influences" to describe the impact of multiple factors; for a single factor, consider using "influence" or "effect" for better precision.

Common error

Avoid using "influence" directly as a verb without proper conjugation. Instead of saying 'The book influences me,' use 'The book influences my thinking' or 'The book has an influence on me'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "influences" is as a plural noun, referring to the various factors that have an effect on something. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically sound and widely applicable, especially across diverse subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Music

14%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Opinion

7%

Science

7%

Travel

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "influences" functions primarily as a plural noun to denote the factors affecting an entity or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It appears most frequently in news, media, music, and lifestyle contexts, maintaining a neutral to professional register. For alternative phrasing, consider "shaping factors", "driving forces", or "affecting elements", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It's crucial to avoid using "influence" directly as a verb and clarify the type of "influences" being discussed for greater precision. Using "influences" offers a versatile way to explore the myriad factors shaping our world.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shaping factors

Focuses on the active role of elements in shaping outcomes.

driving forces

Emphasizes the power and direction of the influencing factors.

affecting elements

Highlights the direct impact of the elements on a subject.

impactful determinants

Stresses the significant role in determining a specific result.

contributing variables

Points out elements that add to a particular situation or outcome.

key drivers

Highlights the most important factors that propel something forward.

formative aspects

Indicates aspects that contribute to the formation or development of something.

effective agents

Highlights the capacity of something to produce a desired effect or result.

motivating factors

Emphasizes what incites or provides a reason to do something.

underlying causes

Focuses on the fundamental reasons behind events or phenomena.

FAQs

How can I use "influences" in a sentence?

Use "influences" to refer to the factors that have an effect on someone or something. For example, "The artist cited various historical and cultural "influences" in their work".

What is a good synonym for "influences"?

Depending on the context, consider using synonyms such as "effects", "impacts", or "factors". Each of these words carries a slightly different connotation.

What's the difference between "influence" and "influences"?

"Influence" is typically used as a singular noun or a verb, while "influences" is the plural form of the noun. For example, "His work had a strong influence on me" versus "His work showed many different "influences"".

Is it correct to say "foreign influences"?

Yes, "foreign influences" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe the impact of external cultures or sources on a particular society, art form, or idea. For example, "The cuisine shows a blend of local ingredients and "foreign influences"".