major influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major influence" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can refer to something or someone that has a significant impact or effect on something else. Example: "His parents were a major influence on his decision to become a doctor." In this sentence, "major influence" is used to describe the significant impact that his parents had on his career choice. It could also be used in other contexts, such as describing a historical figure's influence on society or the influence of a psychological factor on someone's behavior.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her words had a major influence.

The Guardian

Mr. Woodhams was a major influence.

The New York Times - Arts

My dad was a major influence.

The Telegraph

"The major influence came from his close friend Mark O'Meara.

The New York Times - Sports

The magazine had been a major influence on Updike.

The Guardian - Books

So you see, Bergman really was not a major influence".

The Guardian - Film

Lauryn Hill has definitely been a major influence for me.

The Guardian - Music

This must surely have been another major influence.

The Guardian - Tech

Economics have exerted a major influence over these trends.

The New York Times

And Brooks has had a major influence on her work.

The New York Times

James Agee, a good friend, was also a major influence.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When attributing influence, be specific about the area or aspect that is significantly affected. For instance, instead of just saying "X was a major influence", specify "X was a major influence on Y's writing style."

Common error

Avoid claiming something is a "major influence" without providing concrete examples or evidence to support the assertion. Back up your claims with specifics to strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major influence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a significant factor that affects or shapes something else, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major influence" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote something or someone having a significant impact. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples reveals its widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific evidence to support your claims and avoid overgeneralizations. Consider alternative phrases like "significant impact" or "primary factor" for nuanced expression. The phrase's versatility and frequency make it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant impact

Replaces "influence" with "impact", focusing on the effect rather than the source of influence; more direct.

Primary factor

Emphasizes the role of being a key element in causing or determining something, shifting from influence to causation.

Key determinant

Similar to "primary factor" but more formal, suggesting a decisive role in defining an outcome.

Dominant force

Highlights the strength and power of the influence, suggesting it overpowers other factors.

Substantial effect

Focuses on the result of the influence, quantifying it as considerable.

Profound impact

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the effect, suggesting a lasting change.

Strong effect

Similar to "substantial effect" but less formal and slightly weaker in connotation.

Considerable weight

Indicates the influence is noteworthy and carries significant importance in a decision or outcome.

Large part

Simple and direct, suggesting something played a significant, though not necessarily overwhelming, role.

Heavy weight

Implies a significant influence, where the influence is being felt considerably.

FAQs

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

Use "major influence" to describe someone or something that has a significant effect on a person, event, or outcome. For example, "The Beatles were a "major influence" on many subsequent rock bands".

What's a more formal way to say "major influence"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "significant impact", "primary factor", or "key determinant".

Which is correct: "major influence on" or "major influence in"?

"Major influence on" is generally preferred when discussing the effect on a specific subject or area. "Major influence in" can be used when referring to a broader field or industry.

What can I say instead of "He was a major influence"?

Depending on the context, you could say "He had a "profound impact"", "He was a "dominant force"", or "He played a "large part"".