Is 'influence' always a positive thing?

No, influence can be positive, negative, or neutral. Context clarifies (e.g., 'a bad influence', 'a positive influence').

What is the difference between 'influence' and 'impact'?

'Influence' is a continuing power to affect character/behaviour, often indirect. 'Impact' is a more immediate, striking effect, often of a single event.

Can 'influence' be used as a verb?

Yes, commonly. E.g., 'The evidence influenced the jury's verdict.'

What does 'under the influence' specifically mean?

In legal and everyday contexts, it almost exclusively means impaired by alcohol or drugs, not general sway.

influence

C2 (Very High Frequency)

UK/ˈɪn.flu.əns/US/ˈɪn.flu.əns/

Neutral; used across all registers from informal to formal.

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

The power or capacity to affect the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something.

A person or thing with such power; also, the effect itself. In scientific contexts, it can mean a physical force exerted by an object.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily denotes an indirect, often gradual effect. Not synonymous with 'control' or 'force'. Can be positive, negative, or neutral.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No major lexical or grammatical differences. Spelling of related 'influential' is consistent.

Connotations

Identical core connotations. Cultural references to 'spheres of influence' may have different geopolitical contexts.

Frequency

Equally high frequency in both varieties.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

exert influencewield influenceconsiderable influenceunder the influencesphere of influence

medium

growing influencecultural influenceoutside influencemajor influencepolitical influence

weak

good influencebad influencedirect influencepowerful influencestrong influence

Grammar

Valency Patterns

influence on/upon sb/sthinfluence over sb/sthinfluence sb to do sthbe influenced by sb/sth

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

dominancehegemonyascendancy

Neutral

impacteffectsway

Weak

leveragecloutpull

Vocabulary

Antonyms

impotenceirrelevanceineffectiveness

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“under the influence (of alcohol/drugs)”
“a bad influence”
“be a good influence on someone”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Refers to market power, leadership impact, or stakeholder sway (e.g., 'The board's influence on policy').

Academic

Describes causal or correlational factors in research (e.g., 'The influence of socioeconomic status on outcomes').

Everyday

Used for personal impact, especially on behaviour or opinions (e.g., 'My teacher was a big influence on me.').

Technical

In physics/engineering, denotes a force or effect (e.g., 'gravitational influence').

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The weather can influence our mood considerably.
I won't let gossip influence my decision.

American English

Don't let one bad review influence your choice of movie.
Early experiences influence a child's development.

adverb

British English

He spoke influentially on the topic, swaying many voters.
The book was influentially cited in the debate.

American English

She argued influentially for the policy shift.
The study has been influentially referenced in later work.

adjective

British English

She is a highly influential figure in the art world.
It was an influential report that changed policy.

American English

He comes from a politically influential family.
That was a massively influential album for a generation.

Examples

By CEFR Level

Parents have a big influence on their children.
The sun influences the weather.

Her positive attitude influenced the whole team.
What influenced your choice of career?

The media can exert a powerful influence on public opinion.
He used his influence to get the project approved.

The treatise was profoundly influenced by Enlightenment philosophy.
The company's sphere of influence extends across several continents.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of IN-FLOW-ence: something that flows INto a situation and changes it.

Conceptual Metaphor

INFLUENCE IS A FLUID (it flows, can be channeled, has a source), INFLUENCE IS PHYSICAL FORCE (exert, wield, pressure).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid directly translating 'оказывать влияние' as 'make influence' – use 'exert/have an influence'.
Do not confuse with 'авторитет' (authority) – influence is less official.

Common Mistakes

Using as a countable noun without article ('He has great influence' ✔ vs. 'He has influence on me' – requires article: 'an influence').
Confusing 'influence' (indirect effect) with 'control' (direct command).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

His grandmother was a major on his decision to become a doctor.

Multiple Choice

Which collocation implies using influence, often with effort?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, influence can be positive, negative, or neutral. Context clarifies (e.g., 'a bad influence', 'a positive influence').
: 'Influence' is a continuing power to affect character/behaviour, often indirect. 'Impact' is a more immediate, striking effect, often of a single event.
: Yes, commonly. E.g., 'The evidence influenced the jury's verdict.'
: In legal and everyday contexts, it almost exclusively means impaired by alcohol or drugs, not general sway.