under the influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to refer to the influence of drugs, alcohol, or another substance or power: "He was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Was he under the influence?

The New York Times - Arts

"I was under the influence.

The Guardian - Books

under the influence of radiation.

Princeton University

"The women are under the influence.

The New York Times

"I mean drive under the influence.

The New York Times

Under the influence / Robert J. Jack Duncanan.

Stanford University

Do you fall under the influence of people?

The Guardian - Film

I was more under the influence of nuns than bongs.

The New York Times

Also Gina Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence.

The Guardian - Film

"I watched 'A Woman Under the Influence' yesterday," Jelly said.

The New Yorker

(Drunken riders get B.U.I.'s — "biking under the influence" tickets).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to legal situations, especially driving, use the full phrase "driving under the influence (DUI)" for clarity.

Common error

Be specific about what's causing the influence. Saying someone is "under the influence" without specifying alcohol, drugs, or another factor can create ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

"Under the influence" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing a state of being affected or controlled by something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Examples in Ludwig show it often describes impairment due to substances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the influence" is a prepositional phrase widely used to describe a state of being affected or controlled by something, typically alcohol, drugs, or strong beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media, as seen in the Ludwig examples, and carries a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure to be specific about what is causing the influence to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives exist, like "affected by" or "controlled by", "under the influence" remains a common and clear way to communicate this state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affected by

Focuses on the state of being impacted, rather than the source of the impact.

controlled by

Emphasizes the dominance or power of the influencing factor.

swayed by

Implies persuasion or a change in opinion due to external factors.

impacted by

A more general term for being affected, without specifying the nature of the influence.

subject to

Highlights the condition of being controlled or governed by something.

in the grip of

Conveys a sense of being tightly held or dominated by something.

guided by

Suggests direction or leadership from an external source.

at the mercy of

Indicates vulnerability and dependence on an external force.

vulnerable to

Highlights the susceptibility to being affected.

susceptible to

Similar to vulnerable, but can imply a predisposition.

FAQs

How is "under the influence" typically used?

It's commonly used to describe someone whose behavior is affected by alcohol, drugs, or other substances. For instance, "He was arrested for driving "under the influence" of alcohol."

What are some alternative ways to say "under the influence"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "affected by", "intoxicated", or "impaired".

Is it correct to say someone is "under the influence" of an idea?

While less common, it's acceptable to say someone is "under the influence" of an idea, belief, or person to suggest they are strongly affected by it. Example: "He is "under the influence" of his mentor's philosophy."

What is the difference between ""under the influence"" and "influenced by"?

"Under the influence" often implies a more immediate or direct effect, especially from substances, while "influenced by" suggests a broader, more gradual impact from various factors.