influencing the selection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "influencing the selection" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing factors or elements that affect the choice or decision-making process regarding options or candidates. Example: "The committee is focused on influencing the selection of the best candidate for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Participants do not typically let it be publicly known that contributions are made or accepted for the purpose of influencing the selection of an adviser".

The New York Times

This provides potentially valuable insights into the relative factors influencing the selection of an appropriate reactor type.

Chemical Engineering Science

Factors influencing the selection of three-phase flow correlations and the advantages to be derived by using gravity to benefit the displacement are discussed.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Citigroup, the charges claim, took a short position on the subprime mortgage-backed securities underlying the C.D.O., while influencing the selection of the assets.

The New York Times

She was the moving force behind the festival plays in both commercial and social matters, influencing the selection of repertory, artists, and style of presentation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last month, a group of department employees wrote anonymously to Congressional investigators alleging that political considerations were influencing the selection of summer interns and applicants for the Attorney General's Honors Program, which hires promising lawyers right out of law school.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

In theory a secret ballot would reduce the ability of the party whips to influence the selection of the Speaker – allowing MPs to select the person they think best suited to the job.

The Guardian - Opinion

They also influence the selection of what content to learn from selected resources.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

Firstly, it is possible that selective membership of the expert panels could have unduly influenced the selection of patient attributes.

BMC Health Services Research

They said Mr Eisner influenced the selection process heavily - a contention the board has denied.

The Guardian - Business

A generation ago, most parents would not have dreamed of trying to influence the selection process.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain objectivity in writing, consider using "factors affecting the selection" instead of "influencing the selection", particularly in analytical or scientific contexts.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of influence. Instead of saying "completely influencing the selection", use more nuanced phrases like "significantly influencing the selection" or "playing a key role in the selection".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "influencing the selection" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of exerting influence on a decision-making process. Ludwig provides examples across varied contexts demonstrating this usage, such as "factors influencing the selection" or "political considerations influencing the selection".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "influencing the selection" is a grammatically sound and versatile gerund phrase used to describe the act of affecting a decision-making process. According to Ludwig, its usage is common across diverse fields like science, news and media, and academia. The phrase typically maintains a neutral to formal register, and while "affecting the choice" or "shaping the decision" offer suitable alternatives, the best choice depends on the context. Remembering to avoid overstating the influence ensures clear and objective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affecting the choice

Replaces "selection" with "choice", focusing on the decision itself.

shaping the decision

Uses "shaping" to emphasize the active role in forming the decision.

guiding the choice

Replaces "influencing" with "guiding", suggesting a more directional influence.

impacting the decision-making

Focuses on the broader process of "decision-making".

affecting the preference

Highlights the alteration of "preference" rather than the final selection.

determining the outcome

Focuses on the result of the selection process.

swaying the decision

Uses "swaying" to imply a persuasive influence.

manipulating the selection

Suggests a more forceful and potentially negative influence.

steering the choice

Implies directing or guiding the decision towards a specific outcome.

coloring the choice

Emphasizes how a choice is perceived due to influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "influencing the selection" to describe factors that affect a decision-making process. For example, "Political considerations were /s/influencing+the+selection of candidates".

What are some alternatives to "influencing the selection"?

Alternatives include "affecting the choice", "shaping the decision", or "guiding the choice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "influencing the selection" or "influence the selection"?

"Influencing the selection" is a gerund phrase, often used as a noun. "Influence the selection" is an imperative verb phrase, used as a directive. The correct choice depends on the sentence's grammatical structure.

What's the difference between "influencing the selection" and "impacting the selection"?

While similar, "influencing the selection" implies a more subtle and directional effect, whereas "impacting the selection" suggests a more direct and significant effect on the outcome.