small influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'small influence' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a slight, minimal, or negligible effect or impact. For example, "The changes in policy had only a small influence on consumer spending."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I hope I can have a small influence in making people reassess those preconceptions.

The Guardian - Opinion

The players win the games and managers only have a small influence on the impact the players have.

The Guardian - Sport

They also have closer links to the new government and a growing (though still small) influence over the policymaking process.

The Economist

Where you live and the cost of living there has only a small influence on that number, he added.

The New York Times

Instead, researchers think, many hundreds or thousands of genes could be involved, each with a small influence on a person's overall intelligence.

The Guardian

"Also, I think the chance of even having some small influence that helps, that is multiplied by 1.2 billion lives, it's such an immense opportunity".

The New York Times

This last factor exerts only a small influence.

International Journal of Refrigeration

While the middle bearing makes small influence to it.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Damping of the source plate has only a small influence.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

A minimal change in the doping level has a small influence on the current-voltage characteristic.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Tree-ring width and aspect had only a small influence on wood density.

Forest Ecosystems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small influence", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being influenced and to what extent the influence is considered small. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "small influence" when the actual impact is significant. Ensure your choice of words accurately reflects the true magnitude of the effect to maintain credibility and avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small influence" typically functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, indicating the degree to which something affects or impacts something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It describes a minimal or slight effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small influence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a minimal or slight impact. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in various writing contexts, with a prevalence in scientific and news-related content. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the influenced element and the rationale behind characterizing the influence as small. Alternatives such as "minimal influence" or "slight influence" can offer nuanced expressions of a similar concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal influence

This alternative suggests an even lesser degree of impact compared to "small influence".

negligible influence

This phrase implies that the influence is so small it's practically non-existent.

limited influence

This suggests that the influence is restricted in scope or extent.

slight influence

This alternative emphasizes the subtlety and mildness of the impact.

minor influence

This term highlights the relative insignificance of the influence.

modest influence

This suggests a moderate or humble degree of impact.

weak influence

This indicates that the influence lacks strength or power.

tiny influence

This emphasizes the extremely reduced size or effect of the influence.

inconsiderable influence

This highlights that the influence is not worth considering or paying attention to.

marginal influence

This suggests the influence exists on the edge or boundary of significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "small influence" to describe something that has a minimal or slight impact. For example, "The new policy had a "small influence" on the company's profits".

What are some alternatives to "small influence"?

Alternatives to "small influence" include "minor influence", "limited influence", or "negligible influence". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of impact you want to convey.

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

"Small impact" and "small influence" are often interchangeable, but "influence" tends to be used when discussing effects on decisions, opinions, or behaviors, while "impact" is broader and can refer to any kind of effect. Use the term that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "small influence" and "significant influence"?

"Small influence" indicates a minimal effect, while "significant influence" suggests a considerable and noteworthy effect. The choice depends on the actual degree of impact you want to describe.