significantly shape

USAGE SUMMARY

"significantly shape" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean to have a major or influential effect on something. For example, "This new technology will significantly shape the way people do business in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

How can two games against two of the best teams in the league significantly shape the unproven, rebuilt 2002 Giants?

The New York Times - Sports

This spring, like most of the 69,000 other eighth graders in the city, Adrian will take exams in social studies, math, reading and science that will significantly shape his future.

The New York Times

Lisa Jackson, the state environmental protection commissioner, said, "Few initiatives will more significantly shape New Jersey's environmental future and positively affect generations to come than the work we're now doing to embrace and implement progressive clean-energy policies and programs".

The New York Times

The Israeli government is lobbying hard for a "no," and the P.L.O., unable to significantly shape realities on the ground, hopes to at least show some diplomatic traction for its continued faith in the two-state approach.

The New York Times

His years as the minority leader of the State Senate left him with some legislative history, but in Albany, where the governor, the Assembly speaker, and Senate majority leader hold nearly unrestricted power, that post gave him relatively few opportunities to significantly shape legislation.

The New York Times

Social interactions can significantly shape individuals' economic behaviours.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Their voices significantly shaped the direction of Obama's campaign.

The Guardian - Opinion

The political crisis of 2000 has significantly shaped the politics of 2002 in Florida.

The New York Times

Her work has significantly shaped the understanding of states and social policy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And when I edited the Oxford History of Western Art (735 plates), the choice of illustrations (and thus of the visual shape of the history) was significantly shaped by costs.

The Guardian - Arts

By now its inviting style, significantly shaped by Mr. Hearn, has matured considerably, and its everyday wines are dependable and generally sensibly priced.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "significantly shape" when you want to emphasize that something has a major influence on the development or form of something else. For instance, "Early childhood experiences significantly shape personality development."

Common error

While "significantly shape" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in very casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "greatly affect" or "have a big impact on" might be more appropriate for less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly shape" functions as a verb phrase, where "significantly" modifies the verb "shape". It indicates a strong and important influence on the form, development, or nature of something. Examples on Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts such as environmental policies and personal development.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significantly shape" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey a substantial influence or impact. As highlighted by Ludwig, it frequently appears in scientific, news, and formal contexts. While it's appropriate for a range of writing styles, it may be less suitable for very informal communication, where simpler alternatives might be preferred. The phrase functions as a verb phrase emphasizing the magnitude of the effect on the development or form of something. Numerous examples on Ludwig demonstrate its common usage across diverse domains, attesting to its reliability and acceptance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greatly influence

Focuses more on the act of influencing rather than the resultant form or shape.

substantially impact

Emphasizes the degree of impact rather than the process of shaping.

markedly affect

Highlights the noticeable effect something has, but doesn't imply formation.

heavily influence

Indicates a strong influence, similar to 'greatly', without the shaping aspect.

profoundly mold

Emphasizes the depth and extent of the shaping influence.

decisively determine

Focuses on the decisive role in determining the outcome, shifting away from 'shaping'.

considerably alter

Highlights the alteration aspect of change. 'Shape' implies more formative.

strongly mold

Emphasizes the strength with which something is molded, but less common.

fundamentally transform

Indicates a deeper level of change, a complete transformation, not just shaping.

powerfully impact

Highlights the power behind the impact, rather than the act of shaping.

FAQs

How can I use "significantly shape" in a sentence?

Use "significantly shape" to indicate that something has a major influence on the development or outcome of something else. For example, "Government policies significantly shape the economy".

What are some alternatives to "significantly shape"?

You can use alternatives like "greatly influence", "substantially impact", or "markedly affect" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "significantly shaped" instead of "significantly shape"?

Yes, "significantly shaped" is the past participle form and is used when referring to something that has already been influenced. For example, "His experiences significantly shaped his worldview".

What is the difference between "significantly shape" and "slightly shape"?

"Significantly shape" indicates a major influence, while "slightly shape" suggests only a minor or minimal influence. The choice depends on the degree of impact you want to convey.