exert influence

Meaning

To use one's power, authority, status, or connections to affect, change, or control a situation, decision, or person's behavior. This is a formal business and political term.

Examples

• Large shareholders often try to exert influence over the company's board of directors.

  Large shareholders often try to exert influence over the company's board of directors.

• The lobby group was able to exert influence on the government's decision to lower tariffs.

  The lobby group was able to exert influence on the government's decision to lower tariffs.

• A good manager knows how to exert influence without relying solely on authority.

  A good manager knows how to exert influence without relying solely on authority.

• The central bank can exert influence on the economy by adjusting interest rates.

  The central bank can exert influence on the economy by adjusting interest rates.

• We must exert influence on our partners to ensure they meet the environmental standards.

  We must exert influence on our partners to ensure they meet the environmental standards.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He tried to make influence on the committee.

  ✓ He tried to exert influence on the committee.

  The verb 'make' does not collocate with the noun 'influence' in this context. Use 'exert' or 'have'.

• ✗ The director exerted influence to the project manager.

  ✓ The director exerted influence over the project manager.

  The correct prepositions to use after 'exert influence' are 'over' or 'on/upon', not 'to'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• As a major donor, she was able to ___ on the foundation's strategic direction.

  💡 use authority or power to affect something

  Show answer

  exert influence

• The union is attempting to ___ over the negotiation process.

  💡 apply leverage or control

  Show answer

  exert influence