wield influence on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wield influence on" is correct and can be used in written English.
It generally means to have power to influence something or someone. For example, "The mayor wielded influence on the community to convince them to vote in favor of the new high-rise development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Kerry, who, along with UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, has been leading international efforts to reach a truce, has been in regular contact with the foreign ministers of Turkey and Qatar as both countries wield influence on Hamas.

The Guardian

One final point worth noting is that "the Blairites" - Stephen Twigg, Liam Byrne and Jim Murphy - all chose to accept demotions, rather than leaving the shadow cabinet and seeking to wield influence on the backbenches.

The Guardian

The logic of holding these "press" properties is to wield influence on behalf of the rest of the (much bigger and more profitable) media business and also to satisfy Murdoch's own power urges.

The Guardian - Opinion

Books like "The Frugal Superpower" by Michael Mandelbaum, "The Limits of Power" by Andrew Bacevich and "The Dispensable Nation" by Vali Nasr all chart the country's inward turn and its reluctance, relative to previous decades, to wield influence on the world stage.

The Economist

How can he presume to wield influence on the lives of women when he is celibate, has spent most of his life in a male-dominated church and opposes artificial contraception?"My grandmother rode a motorcycle in Ireland back in 1922," he told a panel hosted by your reporter at the World Economic Forum.

The Economist

It is wooing Hollywood's small fry: postproduction shops, broadcast technicians, independent filmmakers and the small army of folks who toil anonymously but wield influence on the technical side of the industry.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Americans have, however, wielded influence on many occasions, and President Karzai is still smarting from many of them.

The New York Times

The American Gaming Association, which promotes and lobbies on behalf of casinos, wields influence on Capitol Hill and state legislatures across the country.

TechCrunch

There is a long history of corporations' wielding influence on public policy through lobbying, but C.E.O.

Huffington Post

That means he plans to be as obstructive as it takes on any non-Scottish issue to wield maximum influence on Scottish ones.

The Economist

But Cardinal Dolan said he and his fellow American bishops did not plan to align themselves with any particular candidate or party in the coming election, and instead plan to wield influence by speaking out on issues important to the church, like abortion and marriage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wield influence on" when you want to convey that someone or something has the power to affect decisions, actions, or outcomes. Ensure the subject truly possesses the authority or capability to create a tangible impact.

Common error

Avoid using "wield influence on" when describing situations where someone merely expresses opinions or offers suggestions without any real power to enforce or implement them. Stick to terms like "suggest", "recommend", or "advise" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wield influence on" functions as a verb phrase indicating the ability to exercise power or authority to affect someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it suggests having a capacity to produce an effect on actions, opinions, or decisions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wield influence on" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of exerting power or authority to affect something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and proper usage. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science and formal business settings. Alternatives include "exert control over", "have sway over", and "exercise authority over". It's crucial to use the expression when the subject genuinely has the power to make a significant impact. Common mistakes involve confusing general suggestions with the active application of influence. Overall, "wield influence on" is a useful and appropriate expression for describing power dynamics and their consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have sway over

Focuses on persuasive power and the ability to change opinions or actions.

shape

Focuses on molding or influencing the direction or form of something.

exert control over

Emphasizes direct control rather than indirect influence.

direct

Emphasizes guidance and control over a specific course of action.

exercise authority over

Highlights the formal power and the right to command or make decisions.

bring pressure to bear on

Implies the use of force or persuasion to achieve a specific outcome.

manipulate

Suggests using indirect or cunning tactics to gain influence, often with negative connotations.

dominate

Suggests complete control and superiority over a situation or group.

impact

Indicates a significant effect or change, but not necessarily through direct power.

have an effect on

A more general term for producing a result or change.

FAQs

How can I use "wield influence on" in a sentence?

You can use "wield influence on" to describe someone or something that has the power to affect decisions or actions. For instance, "The lobbyist aimed to "wield influence on" the senator's vote."

What's a good alternative to "wield influence on"?

Alternatives include "exert control over", "have sway over", or "exercise authority over", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Wield influence on" suggests a more active and direct application of power, whereas "have influence on" is more general. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the active exertion of power.

What is the difference between "wield influence on" and "exert influence on"?

While similar, "wield influence on" implies a natural or inherent authority, while "exert influence on" suggests a more deliberate and forceful application of power.