seminal influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seminal influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant and foundational impact that something has had on a particular field or area of study. Example: "The author's seminal influence on modern psychology is evident in the theories that followed his groundbreaking work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Gene Thaw had a seminal influence on the field," Mr. Ellis said.

The New York Times - Arts

Clarke was a seminal influence on the punk movement, and might well be its most enduring.

The Guardian - Music

To generations of planners, architects and students of cities, Ms. Jacobs remains a seminal influence.

The New York Times - Books

The Dorian peoples had a seminal influence on the later development of Greek art.

Britannica

It has had a seminal influence on the creation of a new academic discipline: Earth systems science.

The Guardian

Yet the hero still exerts an attraction for sophisticated readers and remains a seminal influence in literature.

Britannica

When he was 15, Hans Richter's book, "Dada: Art and Anti-Art" proved to be a seminal influence on him.

The New York Times - Arts

Nevertheless, tribute has been paid to its seminal influence on the work done by many film directors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Surely it was only a matter of time before a future president would come to cite his work as a seminal influence.

The Guardian - Books

But the case has laid bare a bitter anger across the racial divide He was a seminal influence on punk, a ferociously funny performance poet.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, they were the first punk band in the country, and for that reason alone they can be regarded as a seminal influence.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seminal influence" to underscore the groundbreaking and lasting impact of an idea, person, or event. Ensure the context clearly establishes the field or area where the influence is most pronounced.

Common error

Avoid using "seminal influence" in trivial contexts. The term is best reserved for situations where the impact is truly transformative and enduring, not merely significant or important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seminal influence" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object. It identifies a significant and foundational impact, describing something that has profoundly shaped a field, idea, or work.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seminal influence" effectively conveys a profound and lasting impact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various domains, especially in news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. When writing, reserve this term for instances of truly transformative influence, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts. Consider alternatives like "pivotal influence" or "foundational influence" when appropriate to maintain precision and impact. In conclusion, the phrase "seminal influence" is suitable for many circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pivotal influence

Replaces "seminal" with "pivotal", emphasizing the turning point aspect of the influence.

foundational influence

Substitutes "seminal" with "foundational", highlighting the fundamental nature of the influence.

critical influence

Replaces "seminal" with "critical", stressing the essential importance of the influence.

major impact

Replaces the entire phrase with a simpler, more direct expression of significant effect.

significant effect

Similar to "major impact", but uses "effect" instead to denote consequence.

key factor

Shifts the focus to identifying the influence as an important element.

driving force

Emphasizes the influence as the active element behind a development.

primary impetus

Highlights the influence as the initial cause or stimulus.

chief determinant

Focuses on the influence as the main factor deciding an outcome.

principal catalyst

Identifies the influence as the agent that triggers a change or event.

FAQs

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

Use "seminal influence" to describe something that has profoundly shaped a field or area of thought. For example: "Darwin's work had a "seminal influence" on modern biology."

What are some alternatives to "seminal influence"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "pivotal influence", "foundational influence", or "critical influence".

What makes an influence "seminal"?

A "seminal" influence is one that serves as a foundation for future developments, having a lasting and transformative impact on a particular field or area of study.

Is it appropriate to use "seminal influence" in formal writing?

Yes, "seminal influence" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure its use is justified by the significance of the impact being described. It is commonly used in academic and professional contexts.