influencing the amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "influencing the amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors that affect a quantity or level of something, such as in financial, scientific, or social contexts. Example: "The new policy is influencing the amount of resources allocated to each department."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

COMT is the most relevant dopamine-degrading enzyme in the prefrontal cortex, strongly influencing the amount of dopamine available.

Handbook of Reward and Decision Making

What they didn't know is how influencing the amount of energy the host flea uses for reproduction versus growth helped the parasite maximize its own energy gains.

Science Magazine

They argue that developmental processes determine variation by influencing the amount of variation generated as well as biasing the direction of variation generated.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Several factors influencing the amount of polypyrrole colloid produced by electrohydrodynamic methods were investigated with the aim of increasing the yield of the process.

Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

So far, research in computer-mediated collaboration has investigated various factors influencing the amount of social presence experienced in online settings.

Computers in Human Behavior

"Before we started influencing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, over the last million years it went between about 180 and 280 parts per million," he said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Temperature influences the amount of body coat a dog grows.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Different forms of water greatly influence the amount of heat absorbed, retained and reflected away from the earth, scientists say.

The New York Times - Science

Because the cut of a diamond -- solitaire, emerald, marquise -- influences the amount of light reflected in it, the ratings compare diamonds only with others of the same cut.

The New York Times

Various factors influence the amount of direct energy needed.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

The definition of costs and the study population substantially influences the amount of total costs.

Health Economics Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about statistical data, clarify whether the observed amount is directly influenced, or whether confounding variables are at play.

Common error

Avoid implying direct causation when discussing factors "influencing the amount". It's more accurate to use phrases like 'correlated with' or 'associated with' if the influence is not definitively proven.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "influencing the amount" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it describes the action of affecting a quantity or degree. The examples show that it commonly connects a factor with its effect on a measurable quantity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "influencing the amount" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase to describe factors that affect a quantity. According to Ludwig, it’s prevalent in scientific and news contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While generally acceptable, it’s important to avoid overstating causation and consider alternative phrases like "affecting the quantity" or "determining the level" depending on the intended emphasis. When writing about it, remember to provide evidence, cite supporting data and avoid implying direct causation without proof.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affecting the quantity

This alternative replaces "amount" with "quantity" which is often interchangeable, slightly changing the tone to a more formal register.

impacting the quantity

This alternative replaces "influencing" with "impacting" maintains the same meaning, but changes the tone.

affecting the degree

Using "degree" instead of "amount" shifts the focus to the intensity or extent of something rather than its numerical value.

determining the level

This alternative emphasizes the establishment of a specific measurement or standard, implying a more direct control.

controlling the quantity

The alternative replacing "influencing" with "controlling" suggests a stronger degree of manipulation or regulation.

manipulating the volume

This option suggests a stronger, potentially negative, control over the amount, implying intentional alteration.

governing the proportion

The alternative uses "governing" which indicates a regulatory or authoritative influence over the proportion of something.

modifying the extent

The alternative replaces "influencing" with "modifying" which indicates a change or adjustment to the degree or scope.

shaping the magnitude

This alternative uses "shaping" suggests a formative influence on the size or scale of something.

driving the volume

The alternative uses "driving" suggests an active force behind the increase or decrease of the volume.

FAQs

What does "influencing the amount" mean?

The phrase "influencing the amount" refers to the act of having an effect on the quantity, size, or extent of something. It implies that a certain factor or variable is affecting the level or measure of another variable.

How can I use "influencing the amount" in a sentence?

You can use "influencing the amount" to describe factors that affect a specific quantity. For example: "The new policy is "influencing the amount" of resources allocated to each department."

What are some alternatives to "influencing the amount"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "affecting the quantity", "determining the level", or "controlling the quantity".

Is there a difference between "influencing the amount" and "affecting the amount"?

While "influencing the amount" and "affecting the amount" are often used interchangeably, "influencing" can suggest a more subtle or indirect effect, whereas "affecting" is more direct. The choice depends on the degree of impact you want to convey.