How to use "considerable influence"

What Does "considerable influence" Mean?

• Meaning of the collocation or phrasal verb Considerable influence refers to a significant or substantial power to affect events, decisions, or people. It implies a noteworthy capacity to shape outcomes.
• Whether meaning is compositional or semi-idiomatic The meaning is largely compositional. "Considerable" simply amplifies the degree of "influence."
• Register: formal / informal / neutral The register is generally neutral to formal. It's suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: verb + noun, verb + particle, adjective + noun, etc. The grammatical pattern is adjective + noun. "Considerable" is an adjective modifying the noun "influence."
• Typical objects, complements, or prepositions that follow It is typically followed by the preposition "on" or "over," indicating the target of the influence. For example, "considerable influence on policy" or "considerable influence over students."
• Can the components be separated? (for phrasal verbs) The components cannot be separated, as it is a fixed collocation of an adjective and a noun.
• What sounds unnatural: wrong verb, wrong preposition, wrong object Using a weaker adjective like "some" or an inappropriate synonym for "considerable" diminishes the impact. Incorrect prepositions (e.g., "considerable influence in") sound unnatural.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from considerable influence on Ludwig.guru.

"Employers also wield considerable influence." — Harvard Business Review

"It also exerted considerable influence on several Broadway classics." — The New York Times

"But we do have considerable influence in the G20." — The Guardian - Opinion

"With all this financial muscle comes considerable influence." — The Guardian

"Presidents wield considerable influence over the rule-making process." — The New York Times

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/considerable+influence

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
significant impact	Emphasizes the effect rather than the power to affect.
substantial power	Highlights the capacity to control or direct.
major effect	A more general term for a large impact.
strong sway	Suggests a persuasive or compelling influence.
marked impact	Focuses on the noticeable nature of the effect.
profound effect	Indicates a deep and far-reaching influence.
heavy hand	Suggests a forceful and potentially oppressive influence.

Common Mistakes

• Learners might use a weaker adjective, such as "some" or "slight," thus diminishing the intended strength of the statement. For example, saying "some influence" when "considerable influence" is more appropriate.
• Using an incorrect preposition, such as "considerable influence in" instead of "considerable influence on/over," is a common error.
• Attempting to separate the adjective and noun is grammatically incorrect.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
considerable influence	Significant power to affect something	Adjective + Noun	Neutral to Formal

FAQs

Can the words in "considerable influence" be separated by other words?

No, the phrase "considerable influence" functions as a fixed collocation. The adjective "considerable" directly modifies the noun "influence," and inserting words between them would disrupt the established grammatical structure and sound unnatural.

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How is "considerable influence" different from "significant impact"?

While both phrases indicate importance, "considerable influence" emphasizes the power to affect something, whereas "significant impact" highlights the effect itself. You might use "considerable influence" to describe someone who can change policy, and "significant impact" to describe the result of that policy change.

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What's wrong with saying "some influence" instead of "considerable influence"?

Using "some influence" when "considerable influence" is more appropriate weakens the statement. "Some influence" suggests a small or limited effect, while "considerable influence" conveys a much greater degree of power and impact. The choice depends on the level of impact you wish to convey.