was a major influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was a major influence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the impact or effect that someone or something had on a person, event, or idea. Example: "Her innovative teaching methods were a major influence on my approach to education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a major influence on subsequent rock-influenced jazz artists, including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Weather Report.

Wikipedia

Mr. Woodhams was a major influence.

The New York Times - Arts

My dad was a major influence.

The Telegraph

It was a major influence on Spenser's Faerie Queene.

Harvard University

Jerry was a major influence in my life.

The New York Times

His mum, as he said, was a major influence.

Independent

Mr. Jamal was a major influence on the jazz world, inspiring the likes of Miles Davis.

The New York Times

(Lowell was a major influence on Sylvia Plath, who studied with him in the nineteen-fifties).

The New Yorker

One of these was Tom Robertson, who was a major influence on Gilbert in two ways.

The Guardian - Music

I really wanted to make a change, and I was a major influence in moving out".

The New York Times

"He was a major influence in the re-evaluation of the importance of human resources".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs to replace "was", such as "shaped", "inspired", or "guided", to add more impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was a major influence" when the impact was minimal or indirect. Ensure the influence is significant and can be substantiated with evidence or examples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was a major influence" functions as a predicate nominative, linking a subject to a noun phrase that renames or describes it. Ludwig AI confirms its use in attributing significant impact or effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was a major influence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a significant impact or effect. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as academic writing. When using the phrase, it's important to specify the nature and scope of the influence to ensure clarity and avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as "had a significant impact" or "played a crucial role" may offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a significant impact

Focuses on the impact rather than the influence, using a more general term.

played a crucial role

Emphasizes the importance of the role in a particular outcome.

was instrumental in

Highlights the essential contribution to a specific result.

had a profound effect

Stresses the depth and intensity of the impact.

contributed significantly to

Indicates a notable contribution to something.

shaped the development of

Focuses on the influence on the evolution or growth of something.

left a lasting impression on

Highlights the enduring nature of the influence.

was a key factor in

Identifies the phrase as a crucial element in a situation.

exerted considerable influence

Highlights the level of influence that someone or something had.

made a substantial contribution to

Emphasizes the significant contribution made.

FAQs

How can I use "was a major influence" in a sentence?

You can use "was a major influence" to indicate that someone or something had a significant impact on a person, event, idea, or movement. For example, "His teaching "was a major influence" on my career path".

What are some alternatives to "was a major influence"?

You can use alternatives like "had a significant impact", "played a crucial role", or "was instrumental in" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "had a major influence" instead of "was a major influence"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Had a major influence" is often used to describe the act of influencing in the past, while "was a major influence" describes someone or something's state or characteristic of being influential.

What's the difference between "was a major influence" and "was a strong influence"?

While both indicate a significant impact, "major" suggests a more overarching or widespread effect, whereas "strong" emphasizes the intensity or power of the influence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.