influence
verb/ˈɪnfluəns/
/ˈɪnfluəns/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they influence | /ˈɪnfluəns/ /ˈɪnfluəns/ |
| he / she / it influences | /ˈɪnfluənsɪz/ /ˈɪnfluənsɪz/ |
| past simple influenced | /ˈɪnfluənst/ /ˈɪnfluənst/ |
| past participle influenced | /ˈɪnfluənst/ /ˈɪnfluənst/ |
| -ing form influencing | /ˈɪnfluənsɪŋ/ /ˈɪnfluənsɪŋ/ |
- to have an effect on the way that somebody behaves or thinks, especially by giving them an example to follow
- influence somebody/something His writings have influenced the lives of millions.
- Her writing was strongly influenced by her Catholic upbringing.
- His film is heavily influenced by other film-makers.
- Don't let me influence you either way.
- Do birdwatchers influence the behaviour of the birds they are watching?
- I do not wish to influence your decision one way or the other.
- influence how, whether, etc… The wording of questions can influence how people answer.
- influence somebody to do something She was influenced to take up voluntary work by her teacher.
- influence somebody in something Her parents tried to influence her in her choice of university.
Extra Examples- The government refuses to be influenced by public opinion.
- I don’t want to influence you. It must be your own decision.
- She hopes her blog will influence opinion in the community.
- Be aware of external factors which may unduly influence your judgement.
- He was naive and easily influenced by his friends.
- This book influenced her profoundly.
- seeking to influence university appointments
- At college she met the two people who most influenced her artistic career.
- Attitudes are highly influenced by cultural background.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- considerably
- deeply
- dramatically
- …
- seem to
- attempt to
- seek to
- …
- in
- be easily influenced
- to have an effect on a particular situation and the way that it develops
- influence something A number of social factors influence life expectancy.
- The local climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream.
- Many factors can influence the taste of wine.
- Minor party candidates can influence the outcome of elections.
- They are a campaign group that seeks to influence government policy on health.
- influence how, whether, etc… The speed at which you eat strongly influences how much you want to eat.
Extra Examples- Understaffing can adversely influence the recovery of patients.
- Pressure from industry bosses has directly influenced government policy.
- We do not seek to influence the decision-making process.
- actions that positively influence health
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- considerably
- deeply
- dramatically
- …
- seem to
- attempt to
- seek to
- …
- in
- be easily influenced
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from medieval Latin influentia ‘inflow’, from Latin influere, from in- ‘into’ + fluere ‘to flow’. The word originally had the general sense ‘an influx, flowing matter’, also specifically (in astrology) ‘the flowing in of ethereal fluid (affecting human destiny)’. The current sense was established in Scholastic Latin by the 13th cent., but not recorded in English until the late 16th cent.
Check pronunciation:
influence