prevailing force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevailing force" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a dominant or influential power in a particular context, such as in discussions about social movements, scientific principles, or competitive environments. Example: "In the current political climate, the prevailing force is the push for climate change legislation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Instead, the prevailing force seems to be deteriorating conditions at home.

The New York Times

Today, the prevailing force is egoism, a lack of understanding of life, of how human beings can be fairer.

Independent

To get here, you can either catch a small twice-weekly ferry, which in winter is more often than not stuck in what might generously - if not very truthfully - be termed Foula's harbour, or take a tiny eight-seat twin-prop Islander aeroplane that flies whenever the prevailing force eight is kind enough to blast straight up or down, as opposed to across, the homemade landing strip.

The Guardian - Travel

For the last decade, artists have been a prevailing force in bringing climate change to the forefront of public conversation.

Vice

What he's writing about -- while Merrick holds the attention -- is the widespread belief during the Victorian era that science should replace religion as the prevailing force.

Huffington Post

Cochrane has suggested that she emerged as the prevailing force at the weekly debates with Salmond, writing in May 2013, "it's been obvious for some time to those of us in the cheap seats that Johann Lamont has more than got his measure".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

If anything, they seem to go against the prevailing forces of snark.

The New York Times - Sports

Sub-scenarios can then be built related to the way in which such a diffused model can develop in relation to the prevailing forces or macro drivers, in particular by identifying: a LOCAL scenario: production will be near consumption; a GLOBAL scenario: production will not necessarily be near consumption.

European Transport Research Review

We could get there on our own, with the requisite skillpower, working against the prevailing forces of our culture.

Huffington Post

Frankly, if we lift back the covers, clearly it is evident that the prevailing forces behind the Bush/Cheney coalition were far more insidious.

Huffington Post

Dispersal via terrestrial habitat tracking and LDD were estimated to be the prevailing forces structuring distribution as opposed to vicariance (Fig.  2).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prevailing force", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being influenced or overcome. Provide specific examples or details to illustrate the force's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "prevailing force" without clearly defining what the force is. Ensure your writing specifies the nature and source of the force to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing force" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a dominant influence or power. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts ranging from political movements to scientific phenomena.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prevailing force" is a commonly used noun phrase that effectively describes a dominant influence or power in various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news, scientific, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what constitutes the force and its impact. Alternatives such as "dominant power" or "major factor" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid vagueness to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dominant power

Focuses on the aspect of having control or authority.

ruling influence

Highlights the effect on decisions and direction.

major factor

Emphasizes the significance of the element in contributing to an outcome.

primary influence

Stresses the main source of impact.

leading element

Highlights the role as the most important component.

driving factor

Emphasizes the element that propels or motivates a particular result.

overriding concern

Highlights the prominence and importance given to a particular worry or consideration.

chief determinant

Stresses the role in definitively deciding an outcome.

predominant influence

Highlights that the influence is more noticeable or has more power than others.

principal driver

Emphasizes the key role in pushing something forward.

FAQs

How can I use "prevailing force" in a sentence?

Use "prevailing force" to describe something that is dominant or influential in a given situation. For example: "The "prevailing force" in the market is consumer demand."

What are some alternatives to "prevailing force"?

Alternatives include "dominant power", "major factor", or "primary influence", depending on the specific context.

Is "prevailing force" formal or informal?

"Prevailing force" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to appear more frequently in news, academic, and professional writing.

What's the difference between "prevailing force" and "dominant trend"?

"Prevailing force" typically refers to an active power or influence, while "dominant trend" describes a pattern or direction that is currently most common or influential.