to have influence over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to have influence over" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the ability to affect or change someone’s thoughts, actions, or decisions. Example: "She has a significant influence over the committee's decisions." Alternative expressions include "to exert influence on" and "to impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"They want to have influence over a decision that's made.

The New York Times - Magazine

The country is believed to have influence over several Afghan insurgent commanders.

The Guardian

They want their voices to be heard and to have influence over their own lives.

The Guardian

He added, "I wanted to have influence over the popular kids".

The New York Times

You don't need to be a leader in your organization to have influence over your downtime.

Harvard Business Review

They have built up constituencies and, through that, gained a measure of legitimacy, which is essential for anyone hoping to have influence over the country's future direction.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In rat models, both the right and left insular cortices have shown to the have influence over autonomic function.

Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology

As China heads towards being the world's largest economy - it is already by one measure - it is natural that it would want to control or have influence over areas adjacent to itself.

Yale University

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

The Economist

"The mayor for many years to come will have influence over the process of the city," Mr. Booker said.

The New York Times

Some of the potential conflicts of interest that regulators initially flagged — like having risk managers report to executives who have influence over their year-end bonuses — still remain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to have influence over", ensure that the subject possessing the influence and the object being influenced are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overstating the degree of influence. "To have influence over" doesn't necessarily mean complete control; it implies an ability to affect or sway decisions, not dictate them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to have influence over" functions as a connector indicating purpose or effect. It connects a subject with its ability to affect or control someone or something. As shown in the Ludwig examples, this phrase expresses agency and impact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to have influence over" effectively conveys the ability to affect or control something. As evidenced by examples analyzed by Ludwig, this common expression is widely used in news, media, and academic writing. Grammatically sound and boasting a high expert rating, alternative phrases like "to exert sway over" or "to wield power over" offer nuanced variations. Remember to use the phrase with careful consideration of the subject and scope of influence to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to exert sway over

Replaces "influence" with "sway" and "have" with "exert", emphasizing a more direct application of power.

to wield power over

Focuses on the "power" aspect of influence, suggesting a capacity to control or direct.

to hold sway over

Similar to "exert sway", this highlights the act of maintaining control or influence.

to exercise control over

Replaces "influence" with "control", indicating a more direct and authoritative influence.

to dominate

Implies a stronger level of influence, suggesting complete control.

to have leverage over

Suggests using an advantage to influence decisions or actions.

to impact

Focuses on the effect of one thing on another, rather than the direct exertion of influence.

to shape

Implies molding or directing the course of something.

to affect

General term for having an effect on something, less direct than "influence".

to govern

Implies formal control and direction.

FAQs

What does "to have influence over" mean?

The phrase "to have influence over" means to have the ability to affect the decisions, actions, or opinions of someone or something. It suggests a capacity to shape or guide outcomes.

How can I use "to have influence over" in a sentence?

You can use "to have influence over" to describe someone's ability to affect others. For example, "The advisor is believed "to have leverage over" the president's decisions."

What are some alternatives to "to have influence over"?

Some alternatives to "to have influence over" include "to exert sway over", "to wield power over", or "to exercise control over", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "to have influence on" or "to have influence over"?

While both "to have influence on" and "to have influence over" are correct, "to have influence over" typically implies a more direct or controlling influence, while "to have influence on" suggests a more general effect.