to influence change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to influence change" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of affecting or altering a situation, policy, or behavior in a positive way. Example: "The organization aims to influence change in environmental policies through advocacy and education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your ability to influence change increases with your network.

The Guardian

They're on the front lines identifying problems and trying to influence change where possible.

The Guardian

Mr. Stein noted that Westchester County had actually given up some of its powers to influence change.

The New York Times

He has a responsibility to stick with the party, he said, to influence change from the inside.

The New York Times

We have worked with traditional leaders and used their power to influence change for women and girls.

The Guardian

However, is it any wonder that so few women stand in the first place when their chances of actually being able to influence change are so minimal?

The Guardian

"As a large global investor, LGIM believes our votes are vital in order to influence change at the companies in which we invest.

Harvard University

Do you believe people in your organization could be healthier, happier and more productive but don't know how to influence change?

University of California, Berkeley

As I became more involved in campus sustainability initiatives, seeing the impact of projects and the ability to influence change even on a small scale was really inspiring.

Columbia University

Too often, however, the employees who are best positioned to influence change do not understand how they can contribute or may not view sustainability as a business imperative.

Harvard Business Review

By engaging with companies that have less well-developed sustainable policies, SVM claims it can use its position to influence change.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to influence change", consider the specific type of change you are trying to affect (e.g., policy, behavior, environment) to ensure clarity and relevance in your communication.

Common error

Avoid overstating your ability to affect change; instead, accurately represent the extent of your influence and the potential outcomes of your actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to influence change" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It describes the reason behind an action, aiming to modify or alter a particular situation or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to influence change" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across diverse contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an infinitive phrase denoting purpose, primarily used to communicate the intent to affect or modify a situation, policy, or behavior. While it maintains a neutral register, it's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic sources, suggesting a level of formality. Ludwig AI's analysis and the abundance of examples demonstrate its versatility and relevance in expressing desired alterations in various spheres.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to effect change

Uses "effect" as a verb instead of "influence", changing the action word but maintaining the same core concept.

to drive change

Emphasizes the proactive and forceful nature of initiating and guiding change.

to bring about change

Focuses on the result of causing change to happen or become effective.

to promote change

Highlights the active support and encouragement of change.

to foster change

Implies nurturing and cultivating an environment conducive to change.

to shape change

Suggests molding and directing the form or nature of change.

to guide change

Focuses on providing direction and leadership throughout the change process.

to impact change

Similar to "effect", but highlights the measure or extent of the change.

to contribute to change

Emphasizes the role of being one factor among others in causing change.

to initiate change

Highlights the act of starting the process of change.

FAQs

How can I use "to influence change" in a sentence?

You can use "to influence change" to describe actions taken with the intention of altering a situation or outcome. For example, "The goal of the campaign is "to influence change" in public policy".

What are some alternatives to "to influence change"?

Alternatives include "to effect change", "to drive change", or "to bring about change", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "to influence change" and "to affect change"?

While both phrases imply causing a change, "to influence change" suggests a more indirect or persuasive approach, whereas "to affect change" can imply a more direct impact.

Which phrase is more appropriate, "to influence change" or "to impact change"?

"To influence change" is generally preferred in formal writing. "To impact change" is acceptable, but "impact" is sometimes considered less formal or more business-oriented.