Cool MateInfluence vs On the power
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Influence
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
On the power
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Influence
| Influence | On the power | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪnfluəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnfluəns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɒn ðə ˈpaʊər//🇺🇸 //ɑn ðə ˈpaʊər// |
| Meaning | To have an effect on someone or something. | Using power or control in a situation. |
| Example | Her influence on the committee was undeniable, as she often swayed their decisions. | The CEO spoke confidently, clearly on the power he held within the company. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | big, considerable, enormous, have, gain, give somebody, extend, grow, wane, under the influence, influence from, influence in, a sphere of influence, bring your influence to bear on somebody/something, under the influence, big, considerable, enormous, have, gain, give somebody, extend, grow, wane, under the influence, influence from, influence in, a sphere of influence, bring your influence to bear on somebody/something, under the influence, big, considerable, great, be, have, be exposed to, be at work, affect something, shape something, influence on | on the power play, on the power struggle, on the power dynamics, on the power shift |
| Antonyms | disregard, ignore, neglect | - |
| Common mistakes | Used as a noun instead of a verb without context., Confused with 'affect' versus 'effect'., Omitting the object when using it in sentences. | Used incorrectly in informal contexts. Best suited for discussions about authority., Misinterpreted as only having a positive meaning; can imply oppression., Not used with the correct prepositions in some cases (e.g., 'on the power of' vs. 'with power'). |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts to describe how one person or thing affects another. Be cautious not to confuse it with 'affect' which is more emotion-based. | Use this phrase when discussing authority or influence. It is often employed in discussions about leadership or politics and can carry both positive and negative connotations depending on the context. |
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Frequently asked questions: Influence vs On the power
What's the difference between Influence and On the power?
Influence: To have an effect on someone or something. On the power: Using power or control in a situation.
Which is more common: Influence and On the power?
Influence is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Influence: Her influence on the committee was undeniable, as she often swayed their decisions. On the power: The CEO spoke confidently, clearly on the power he held within the company.
Can I use Influence and On the power interchangeably?
Not always. Influence and On the power are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.