they have influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they have influence" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing someone's power or ability to affect decisions, opinions, or actions. For example, "They have influence over the committee's decisions." Alternative expressions include "they wield influence" and "they possess influence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Convention planners may not have the instant impact of Carnival's threat, but they have influence.

The New York Times - Travel

"If Isis get Ajdabiya, then they have influence over the area," says Libyan analyst Mohamed Eljarh.

The Guardian

Many would rather surrender sovereignty to a Europe, where they have influence, than to financial speculators.

The Economist

JOURNALISTS, and editorial writers in particular, like to imagine they have influence over the great.

The Economist

Officials who set up blind trusts are not aware of, nor do they have influence over, the investments chosen.

The New York Times

The government estimates that they have influence in over a third of India's 626 districts, with 90 seeing "consistent violence".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

They have influenced presidents.

The New York Times - Books

They have influenced everything from hospital practice to global politics.

The New York Times - Health

They have influenced some big public debates over the years.

The Guardian

In what ways might they have influenced those who followed?

The New York Times

His plays have influenced art as they have influenced everything else.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with adverbs like "significant", "considerable" or "limited" to provide more precise context regarding the degree of power.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use the past participle "influenced" when they intended to describe the state of having power. For example, "they have influence" describes a current status, whereas "they have influenced" describes a past action. Ensure you use the noun "influence" after the auxiliary "have" when describing a possession of power.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have influence" functions as a standard subject-verb-object construction. In this structure, "they" acts as the plural subject, "have" is the transitive verb denoting possession or status and "influence" is the uncountable noun serving as the direct object. According to Ludwig, this is a highly versatile construction used to state a fact about social or political standing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they have influence" is a robust and grammatically correct way to describe the capacity of a group to affect the character, development or behavior of someone or something. Based on the data from Ludwig, the phrase is a staple of high-level journalism and academic discourse, appearing in prestigious publications like The New York Times and The Economist. It is most effectively used when describing political actors, lobbyists or market leaders. While it is simple in its construction, its clarity makes it a preferred choice for writers who need to objectively state the existence of power without necessarily implying a positive or negative bias. For writers looking for more variety, alternatives like "they wield influence" provide a more active tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they wield influence

Suggests a more active or forceful use of power

they are influential

Uses an adjective to describe the inherent nature of the group

they possess influence

More formal and emphasizes the state of having the quality

they exert influence

Focuses on the application of influence toward a goal

they hold sway

Idiomatic expression implying significant control or dominance

they exercise influence

Used when the influence is actively being utilized

they command influence

Implies influence that is naturally respected or earned

they have a say

More informal, often used in the context of decision-making

they carry weight

Metaphorical phrasing indicating their opinions are respected

they impact decisions

Focuses specifically on the result of the influence

FAQs

How do I use "they have influence" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe power dynamics, such as: "The local elders are respected because "they have influence" over the community's major decisions."

What is a more formal synonym for "they have influence"?

A more formal alternative would be "they wield influence" or "they possess considerable influence".

Is it correct to say "they have an influence"?

Yes, adding the article "an" is correct when followed by a prepositional phrase, such as: "They have an influence on the final outcome." Both forms are grammatically valid depending on the sentence structure.

What is the difference between "they have influence" and "they hold sway"?

While both mean having power, "they hold sway" often implies a broader or more dominant control over a region or a group's mindset compared to the more general "they have influence".