negative influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"negative influence" is correct and is usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an influence that is detrimental or harmful. For example, "The negative influence of her peers caused her to become involved in risky behavior".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Joachim Fest had a negative influence on his nation's identity.

The Guardian

"Sometimes that has a little bit of a negative influence.

The New York Times - Sports

Is The X Factor a negative influence on the music business?

The Guardian

"We have local people who feel the national chains are a negative influence," he said.

The New York Times

The negative influence of peer group pressure reinforces cultural isolation and promotes failure.

The Guardian

Why do you think they have a negative influence on young people?

The Guardian

"I'm sure it's there," he says, "but I don't think it's a negative influence".

The Guardian - Music

revelation, Snapchat has managed to mostly stay out of the discussions about social media's negative influence.

The New Yorker

She feels guilty for causing such huge trouble and negative influence to his family," he said.

The Guardian

She also spoke of the negative influence that adult bullies have.

The New Yorker

Anxiety and disgust had a negative influence on motivation.

Learning and Individual Differences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of external factors, use "negative influence" to clearly convey a detrimental effect. For example, "The media's negative influence on body image can be significant."

Common error

Be specific about what is being negatively influenced. Instead of saying "The situation had a negative influence", specify: "The situation had a negative influence on employee morale."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative influence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject of a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English to refer to a detrimental or harmful effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "negative influence" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a detrimental or harmful impact. As Ludwig AI points out, it is widely accepted in written English. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, indicating its versatility. When using "negative influence", it's important to be specific about what is being affected. Alternative phrases like "detrimental impact" or "harmful effect" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. It's an essential phrase for clearly communicating negative consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detrimental impact

Focuses on the impact or effect, often quantifiable, of something harmful.

harmful effect

Emphasizes the damaging or injurious consequences.

adverse impact

Similar to detrimental, but can also refer to opposing or contrary effects.

undesirable effect

Focuses on the lack of desirability of a particular outcome.

damaging consequence

Highlights the severity and long-term implications.

deleterious effect

A more formal term for a harmful or injurious outcome.

injurious effect

Stresses the harmful nature, often implying potential physical or psychological harm.

unfavorable influence

Indicates a less positive or advantageous influence.

corrupting influence

Suggests a moral or ethical decay caused by the influence.

malign influence

Implies a sinister or evil intent behind the influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "negative influence" to describe something that has a detrimental effect on someone or something. For example, "Peer pressure can have a "negative influence" on teenagers' decisions."

What are some synonyms for "negative influence"?

Some synonyms for "negative influence" include "detrimental impact", "harmful effect", and "adverse impact". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "negative impact" or "negative influence"?

Both "negative impact" and "negative influence" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Impact" suggests a direct and measurable effect, while "influence" implies a more subtle or indirect effect. Choose the word that best fits the context.

What is the opposite of "negative influence"?

The opposite of "negative influence" is "positive influence", which describes something that has a beneficial or helpful effect.