negative influences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "negative influences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe factors or forces that have a harmful or detrimental effect on someone or something. Example: "The negative influences of peer pressure can lead to poor decision-making among teenagers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Of course, the negative influences of globalization abound.

The New York Times

Yet plenty of negative influences are at work, too.

The Economist

The Chinese know how to restrict all the negative influences... crime, pornography, sex.

The New York Times - Magazine

Black art controls the 'Negro's' reality, negates negative influences, and creates positive images.

The Guardian - Opinion

These second-generation children are particularly vulnerable to negative influences, experiencing what Dr. Portes calls "downward assimilation".

The New York Times

"In our minds, that should help to offset the negative influences of store closings and lower average rent collections".

The New York Times

The results can leave people vulnerable to negative influences and be used to legitimise irrational hatred via an "us versus them" narrative.

The Guardian

But even as it is being lucratively marketed worldwide, there is still discussion about its "negative" influences, as the Tyson case shows.

The Guardian - Books

We're trying to build something that will do the positive things that skateboarding did for Harold but also try to protect them from the negative influences".

The Guardian - Film

His parents said they saw Northstar as a place that would distance Aaron from negative influences at his high school, where he had begun dabbling in drugs.

The New York Times

Instead, Hughson argued that letting him go on bail, instead of a "gradual release", would make him "more vulnerable to negative influences".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of external factors on individuals, consider using "negative influences" to specifically address how these factors can hinder growth or development. For example, "Exposure to violence can have significant negative influences on a child's emotional well-being."

Common error

While "negative influences" is widely accepted, avoid overuse by varying your language with alternatives like "harmful effects" or "detrimental impacts" to maintain reader engagement and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative influences" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes factors or entities that exert a detrimental or adverse effect, as shown by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "negative influences" is grammatically sound and frequently used to describe factors that have a harmful or detrimental effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. While synonyms like "harmful effects" or "detrimental impacts" exist, "negative influences" offers a specific focus on factors hindering progress. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain precision and reader engagement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmful effects

Focuses more on the result or outcome of the influence being negative.

detrimental impacts

Emphasizes the damaging consequences or repercussions.

adverse effects

Highlights the unfavorable or counterproductive nature of the influences.

damaging influences

Specifically points out the harm or damage caused.

unfavorable factors

Shifts the focus to elements that contribute to a negative outcome.

ill effects

A more concise and direct way of expressing negative consequences.

pernicious effects

Highlights the subtle yet destructive manner of influence.

undesirable outcomes

Focuses on the unwanted results produced by certain actions or conditions.

adverse consequences

Emphasizes the negative results that follow an action or situation.

negative repercussions

Highlights the far reaching impacts and aftereffects of negative influences.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "negative influences"?

Alternatives for "negative influences" include "harmful effects", "detrimental impacts", or "adverse effects", depending on the specific context.

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

You can use "negative influences" to describe factors that have a detrimental effect on something. For example, "The study examined the negative influences of social media on teenagers' self-esteem."

What's the difference between "negative influences" and "bad influences"?

"Negative influences" is a more formal and broad term, whereas "bad influences" often refers specifically to people who encourage harmful behavior.

Are there contexts where using "negative influences" might be inappropriate?

While generally acceptable, "negative influences" might be too clinical in very informal or casual conversation. In such cases, consider using "bad influences" or other less formal synonyms.