zone of influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"zone of influence" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the area of a country over which an outside entity exercises a certain degree of authority or control. For example, "The United States has extended its zone of influence throughout much of the Western Hemisphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's perhaps the most important zone of influence of all.

The Washington Post

Now Latakia's port may become an Iranian zone of influence.

The Times

He needed to go somewhere outside his traditional zone of influence.

The New York Times

The Arabs had not yet penetrated the Congo, but they considered it their zone of influence & didn't want Europeans encroaching.

The New Yorker

The zone of influence is along the river where there is pepper, there's rice, there's corn and there's fish.

The Guardian

It would also "collapse" the idea that Ukraine had to be part of Russia's zone of influence.

The Guardian

People's war, yes," the group declared, adding that it would fight government troops in its zone of influence.

The Guardian

The free-field displacement is introduced at the boundaries of the zone of influence.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Moreover, the Shabab failed to feed the people in its zone of influence during last year's terrible drought.

The Economist

But Russia's forces are digging in and seizing ribbons of Georgian land that abut two breakaway enclaves allied with Moscow, effectively extending its zone of influence.

The New York Times

Rather than challenging the Russian leadership's desire that the United States concede some legitimacy to a reasserted Russian zone of influence, it could reinforce it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international relations, use "zone of influence" to describe a region where a state exercises a dominant sway, whether politically, economically, or culturally. For example, 'The United States has historically considered Latin America within its "zone of influence".'

Common error

Avoid using "zone of influence" to describe simple cases of impact or effect. This term carries geopolitical weight and should be reserved for situations involving significant control or dominance over a region or entity. For example, instead of saying 'His charisma created a "zone of influence" around him', consider 'His charisma made him very popular'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "zone of influence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It refers to a geographical area or abstract domain over which an entity exerts significant control or sway. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a standard and accepted term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "zone of influence" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to describe a region where a particular entity holds significant power or sway. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is accepted and used across various domains. It is particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and business contexts, highlighting its relevance in discussions of geopolitics, research, and strategic control. When using the term, it's important to reserve it for situations with substantial dominance and avoid applying it to cases of simple impact or effect. Related terms like "area of influence" and "sphere of influence" can serve as useful alternatives, depending on the context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

zone of power

Replaces "influence" with "power", emphasizing control and authority.

region of influence

Substitutes "zone" with "region", denoting a geographical area.

area of influence

Replaces "zone" with "area", indicating a broader, less defined space.

sphere of influence

Uses "sphere" instead of "zone", suggesting a rounded, all-encompassing reach.

area of control

Shifts focus from influence to direct control.

scope of impact

Emphasizes the effect rather than the area of control.

circle of authority

Highlights the power dynamic and its reach.

reach of authority

Focuses on how far the authority extends.

range of effect

Highlights the extent to which the effect can be felt or observed.

domain of authority

Swaps "zone" for "domain", stressing the official control.

FAQs

How is "zone of influence" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "zone of influence" describes a region or area where a particular country or organization has a significant degree of cultural, economic, military, or political influence. For example, 'Russia considers the former Soviet republics to be within its "zone of influence"'.

What are some alternative phrases for "zone of influence"?

You can use alternatives such as "area of influence", "sphere of influence", or "region of influence" depending on the specific context.

Is "zone of influence" the same as "sphere of influence"?

The terms "zone of influence" and "sphere of influence" are often used interchangeably. However, "sphere of influence" might imply a more formally recognized or acknowledged dominance, while "zone of influence" can be a more general or informal description.

In what contexts is "zone of influence" most appropriately used?

"Zone of influence" is best used in contexts discussing geopolitics, international relations, historical power dynamics, or situations where an entity exerts control or sway over a particular area or group. It should be avoided in contexts where simple impact or effect is being described.