major influence on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major influence on" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the impact or effect that someone or something has on a particular situation or person. Example: Newton's laws of motion had a major influence on the development of modern physics.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Steel fibers can have a major influence on workability; one special concern is their orientation.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

The magazine had been a major influence on Updike.

The Guardian - Books

And Brooks has had a major influence on her work.

The New York Times

He has had a major influence on my career.

The New York Times

He still exerts a major influence on the board.

The Guardian - Tech

The Petrarchan sonnet became a major influence on European poetry.

Britannica

Climate is the major influence on vegetation type.

Britannica

It was a major influence on Spenser's Faerie Queene.

Harvard University

The rules had a major influence on each team's outcome.

Stanford University

A major influence on prose was exercised by Arabic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There Mr. Bonynge became the major influence on her development.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the strength of the influence you're describing. If the influence is absolute, stronger terms like "decisive factor" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "major influence on" when the connection is weak or speculative. Ensure there's solid evidence to support the claim of significant impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major influence on" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating the direction or target of the influence. Ludwig examples confirm its role in specifying what is being affected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major influence on" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to denote a significant impact or effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and applicable across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "significant impact on" and "considerable effect on" exist, understanding the subtle nuances helps refine your writing. Remember to clearly identify both the influencing agent and the influenced entity to avoid ambiguity. The phrase is best reserved for situations where evidence strongly supports the claim of a substantial effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant impact on

Focuses on the degree of impact rather than the nature of the influence.

considerable effect on

Emphasizes the result or outcome of the influence.

substantial impact upon

A more formal way to say significant effect, using 'upon' instead of 'on'.

key factor in

Highlights the importance of something as a contributing element.

dominant force in

Suggests a stronger, more controlling influence.

principal driver of

Emphasizes the active role of something in causing or directing something else.

primary determinant of

Indicates that something is the main factor deciding an outcome.

marked effect on

Highlights that the effect is easily noticeable.

notable impact on

Similar to 'marked effect', suggesting the impact is worthy of attention.

strong bearing on

Implies a direct relevance or connection to something.

FAQs

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

Use "major influence on" to indicate a significant effect or impact that something or someone has had. For example: "Climate change has a "major influence on" global weather patterns".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "major influence on"?

You can use alternatives such as "significant impact on", "considerable effect on", or "key factor in depending on the specific context".

Is it correct to say "major influence in" instead of "major influence on"?

The correct and more common usage is "major influence on". "Major influence in" is grammatically incorrect. Use "major influence on" to indicate the target of the influence.

What's the difference between "major influence on" and "minor influence on"?

"Major influence on" indicates a substantial or significant effect, while "minor influence on" suggests a small or negligible effect. The choice depends on the scale of the impact you wish to convey.