may be influenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be influenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the potential to be affected or changed by external factors or circumstances. Example: "The outcome of the experiment may be influenced by the temperature at which it is conducted."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Conversely, seizure semiology may be influenced by sleep.

Epilepsy & Behavior

Justice Bartley's knack for entertaining may be influenced by his pedigree.

The New York Times

While makeup artists may be influenced by these films, most women won't be swayed.

The New York Times - Style

But people's views on what's attractive may be influenced by their race, their religion, their age.

The New York Times

Some people may be influenced by such polls, as everyone wants to vote with the winner.

The New York Times

When a poet writes a first stanza like this, its form may be influenced by chance.

The Guardian - Books

Others may be influenced by his writing, or act upon his advice.

The New Yorker

The plan's final shape may be influenced by the company's fourth-quarter performance, this person said.

The New York Times - Tech

And certainly some of these genes may be influenced by environment.

The Guardian

I actually prefer the latter, although my preference may be influenced by guilt.

The New York Times - Food

All of this may be influenced to some degree by the language itself.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be influenced", ensure the sentence clearly identifies both the subject being influenced and the influencing factor to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Results may be influenced", specify "Results may be influenced by the sample size".

Common error

Avoid using "may be influenced" excessively in passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Opt for active voice where possible to create a more impactful statement. For example, instead of "The decision may be influenced by external factors", consider "External factors may influence the decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be influenced" functions as a passive construction indicating a potential effect or impact. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various domains, highlighting its versatility in expressing conditional influence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be influenced" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating a potential impact or effect. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, and examples show its presence across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. While grammatically correct, overuse in passive constructions should be avoided to maintain writing strength. When using "may be influenced", ensure clarity by specifying both the subject and the influencing factor. Alternatives such as "might be affected" or "could be shaped" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be affected

Suggests a possibility of being impacted, often used interchangeably but slightly less formal.

could be shaped

Implies a stronger degree of influence, suggesting a change in form or character.

can be impacted

Similar to "may be influenced", but uses "impacted", which can sometimes be considered less elegant.

is susceptible to

Indicates a vulnerability to influence, often implying a negative or unwanted effect.

is prone to

Suggests a tendency to be influenced, implying a higher likelihood of impact.

may be determined by

Indicates a more decisive influence, suggesting that something is controlled by another factor.

may be contingent on

Highlights the conditional nature of the influence, depending on specific circumstances.

might be governed by

Suggests a rule-based or systematic influence, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

may hinge on

Emphasizes the critical importance of the influencing factor, suggesting that everything depends on it.

can depend on

States that something can be dependent upon something else.

FAQs

How can I use "may be influenced" in a sentence?

The phrase "may be influenced" indicates a potential impact or change due to external factors. For example, "The experiment's outcome "may be influenced" by environmental conditions".

What are some alternatives to "may be influenced"?

You can use alternatives like "might be affected", "could be shaped", or "can be impacted" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "may be influenced" or "is influenced by"?

"May be influenced" suggests a possibility, while "is influenced by" states a fact. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the certainty of the influence. "The results "may be influenced" by bias" implies a potential concern, whereas "The results are influenced by bias" states that bias demonstrably affected the results.

What does "may be influenced" imply about the strength of the influence?

"May be influenced" suggests a possible or moderate effect, not necessarily a strong or definitive one. It implies that other factors could also play a role. For a stronger influence, consider phrases like "is primarily determined by" or "is largely dependent on".