influential

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "influential" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has a significant effect on another person, event or situation. For example, you could say "Martin Luther King Jr. was an influential leader during the civil rights movement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Music

Politics

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dockers midfielder Nat Fyfe was influential with 27 possessions, eight clearances, and a goal, with his high-flying mark in the final quarter another highlight.

The Guardian - Sport

Paul Stokes, associate editor of NME, said the lineup proved "the unique place Glastonbury occupies in not only the hearts of the British festival-going public, but also the world's most influential music artists".

The Guardian - Music

Email: [email protected] David Marr journalist David is widely regarded as one of Australia's most influential commentators writing on subjects such as politics, censorship, the media and the arts.

The Guardian

Multiple conservative groups including the influential Heritage Action came out against the bill and said it would be counted as a "key vote" in their rankings of legislators.

The Guardian

Quite apart from most players detesting such pitches, a handful of key England performers, including Steph Houghton, the influential captain, are still working their way back to match fitness following lengthy lay-offs and would have much preferred the rather more forgiving feel of grass beneath their feet.

The Guardian - Sport

Leading the charge has been Kayhan, the most influential newspaper on the authoritarian right and edited by Hossein Shariatmadari, an appointee of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Guardian

He was brilliant for Roy Hodgson's side in their run to the Europa League final in 2010 – a 20-yard blast in a win over Shakhtar Donetsk summed up how influential Zamora was for them during those heady days – and his form convinced Fabio Capello to give him his first England cap.

The Guardian - Sport

The list is organised and published by William Reed Media, which says that the final rankings are derived from the votes of almost 1,000 "influential" people within the restaurant community.

The Guardian

Mackenzie was the editor of the Sun when it sold more than 4m copies and was arguably at its most influential in Thatcherite Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of the entries make sense: Radio 1's George Ergatoudis is authentically influential, choosing what gets played on Radio 1 and 1Xtra; Damon Albarn is a relentless forager for new musical directions.

The Guardian - Music

Her credits in artist development include Lorde, who herself was voted one of the most influential teenagers of 2013 by Time magazine.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "influential", ensure you provide context on the area of influence. For example, specify whether someone is "influential" in politics, music, or science for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "influential" hyperbolically. Ensure the person or thing you're describing genuinely has a considerable impact and isn't just popular or well-known.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "influential" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something that has the power to affect people, things, or events. Ludwig's examples showcase its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sport

12%

Music

8%

Less common in

Politics

7%

Books

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "influential" is an adjective used to describe something or someone having a significant impact or effect. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and widespread use. It is prevalent in News & Media, Sport, and Music contexts, with a neutral to formal register. To ensure accurate usage, provide context on the area of influence and avoid hyperbolic applications. Alternatives include "powerful", "authoritative", and "impactful". Remember, while popularity might be a factor, genuine impact is the defining characteristic of something or someone "influential".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

powerful

Refers to the ability to exert a strong effect or control.

impactful

Highlights the significant effect produced on something or someone.

significant

Stresses the notable importance or consequence.

instrumental

Indicates playing a crucial role in achieving a particular outcome.

authoritative

Focuses on the power derived from expertise and recognized knowledge.

consequential

Emphasizes the important results or effects of something.

prominent

Indicates high visibility and importance in a particular field.

effectual

Highlights the capacity to produce a desired result or effect.

dominant

Emphasizes a position of control and prevailing strength.

leading

Describes being in a position of direction or guidance.

FAQs

How can I use "influential" in a sentence?

You can use "influential" to describe someone or something that has a significant impact or effect. For example, "She is an "influential" figure in the fashion industry."

What are some synonyms for "influential"?

Some synonyms for "influential" include "powerful", "authoritative", "impactful", and "significant".

How does "influential" differ from "famous"?

"Influential" describes someone or something that has a significant impact, whereas "famous" simply means widely known. Someone can be famous without being "influential", and vice versa.

What is the correct grammatical form: "influential" or "influenceable"?

"Influential" is used to describe someone or something that exerts influence, while "influenceable" describes someone who is easily influenced. They have opposite meanings.