inordinate influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"inordinate influence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that exercises a disproportionate amount of authority or power over a situation, often because of their wealth or resources. For example, "The CEO of the company has an inordinate influence over staff decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It also has blamed powerful oligarchs for wielding inordinate influence over the country's economy and politics.

The Guardian

And little changes because they wield inordinate influence through contracts in nearly every Congressional district.

The New York Times

Commentators point to the inordinate influence large banks have on the political process.

The New York Times

This provision is aimed at preventing any one company from having inordinate influence over the banking industry.

The New York Times

This provision is aimed at stopping any one company from having inordinate influence over the banking industry.

The New York Times

In depositions and court testimony, Marbury also came across as having inordinate influence at Madison Square Garden.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The vast majority of the opposition rejects foreign intervention, recognizing that it would likely result in strengthening support for the nationalist regime and open the way for inordinate Western influence in a post-Assad system.

Huffington Post

Gleaning insight into the attitudes and beliefs of political influencers is particularly important because they have an inordinate amount of influence over whether or not movement-building (or, for that matter, any grassroots political activity) is ultimately successful.

Vice

Trump knows wealthy people have inordinate power to influence elections, because he is usually one of them.

The Guardian - Opinion

The upshot was that the entries were viewed by an astonishingly small number of people, whose votes carried an inordinate amount of influence.

The New York Times

Far from being persecuted, they are protected, privileged, and still allowed to exercise an inordinate amount of power and influence in the political sphere.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inordinate influence", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the disproportionate or excessive nature of the influence being described. Provide specific examples or data to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "inordinate influence" when the influence is merely significant or important, not truly disproportionate. Accurate use requires demonstrating that the influence substantially outweighs what is expected or reasonable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inordinate influence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "wield", "have", "exert") or the subject of a clause. It describes the extent or degree of influence, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inordinate influence" is a noun phrase used to describe a disproportionate amount of power or control. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It often appears in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and formal business settings. The phrase generally carries a neutral to formal tone, indicating concern about the imbalance of power. While alternatives like "undue influence" and "disproportionate impact" exist, "inordinate influence" maintains a distinct emphasis on the excessive nature of the control being exerted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undue influence

Focuses on the inappropriateness or illegality of the influence.

disproportionate impact

Emphasizes the unequal distribution of effects or consequences.

excessive control

Highlights the extreme degree of power or authority exerted.

unwarranted sway

Suggests the influence is unjustified or undeserved.

overbearing effect

Focuses on the oppressive or dominant nature of the influence.

unreasonable authority

Highlights the lack of justification for the level of power held.

commanding presence

Emphasizes the dominance exerted by someone or something.

major leverage

Illustrates a strong advantage point from where influence is imposed.

significant power

Focuses on the notable amount of control.

substantial weight

Emphasizes the importance of a factor impacting decisions.

FAQs

How can I use "inordinate influence" in a sentence?

Use "inordinate influence" to describe a situation where someone or something has a disproportionately large impact or control. For example, "Lobbyists often have an "inordinate influence" on political decisions."

What are some alternatives to "inordinate influence"?

You can use alternatives such as "undue influence", "disproportionate impact", or "excessive control" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "inordinate influence" and "significant influence"?

"Inordinate influence" implies a degree of influence that is excessive or unreasonable, while "significant influence" simply suggests that the influence is noteworthy or important. The former carries a stronger connotation of imbalance or impropriety.

Is it correct to say someone wields "inordinate influence"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. The verb "wield" often accompanies "inordinate influence", suggesting the active exercise of disproportionate power. You can say "They wield an "inordinate influence" over the board."