Meaning & use
direct influence
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Meaning
nouncountable or uncountable
The power to affect someone or something immediately and without anything or anyone in between.
Grammar: Can be countable (a direct influence) or uncountable (direct influence); often used with 'have' or 'on'.
Patterns
- have a direct influence on someone/something
- direct influence over someone/something
- exercise direct influence
Parents have a direct influence on their children's eating habits.
The new law had a direct influence on how businesses operate.
She used her direct influence to get the project approved.
Common combinations
- have a direct influence on
- The weather has a direct influence on crop yields.
- exercise direct influence over
- The board exercises direct influence over major decisions.
- a direct influence
- His mentor was a direct influence on his career.
- under the direct influence of
- The committee acted under the direct influence of the mayor.
Synonyms and how they differ
- direct effect
- Similar, but 'effect' emphasizes the result, while 'influence' emphasizes the power to affect.
- sway
- More informal and often implies control or persuasion; 'direct influence' is neutral.
Opposites
Word family
- influence verb
- To affect someone or something.
- influential adjective
- Having a lot of influence.
Commonly confused: direct influence or direct effect?
direct influence vs direct effect
'Direct effect' is about the result; 'direct influence' is about the power to cause a result.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'direct influence' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct preposition is 'on' after 'influence'. Options A, C, and D use wrong prepositions that do not fit the meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “direct influence”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.