positive influence

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person or thing that has a good effect on someone's behavior, development, or situation.

   Grammar: Countable; use 'a positive influence' or plural 'positive influences'. Often followed by 'on': a positive influence on someone.

   Patterns

   • a positive influence on someone
   • be a positive influence
   • have a positive influence on something

   Her grandmother was a positive influence on her decision to study medicine.

   The charity program has been a positive influence on children in the neighborhood.

   He tries to be a positive influence on his younger brother.

2. 2noununcountable

   The good effect that something or someone has on a person or situation.

   Grammar: Uncountable when talking about the effect itself, not a specific person or thing.

   Patterns

   • have a positive influence on something
   • exert a positive influence

   The new teacher had a positive influence on the whole class.

   Regular exercise can have a positive influence on mental health.

Common combinations

a positive influence on

Her coach was a positive influence on her career.

have a positive influence

Good friends can have a positive influence on your choices.

be a positive influence

He tries to be a positive influence in his community.

exert a positive influence

The mentor exerted a positive influence on the young athletes.

Synonyms and how they differ

good influence

Similar meaning, but 'good influence' is more informal and less formal than 'positive influence'.

role model

A person whose behavior is copied by others; it focuses on the person, not the effect.

Opposites

Word family

positively adverb

In a positive way; e.g., 'She was positively influenced by the book.'

Commonly confused: positive influence or positive impact?

Practice

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