Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
influence (n., v.)
The noun combines with several prepositions: to identify the influence, with of: The influence of Hemingway on the narrative styles of some American writers has been considerable; to identify where the influence is felt, with on, in, among, within, throughout, and the like (The influence of American blue jeans, popular music, and television is apparent on [in, among] Russian youth. The influence of certain great musicians is widely felt within [throughout] the world of jazz). For, from, and with also occur: She is a powerful influence for good among young people. Influences from all sorts of earlier composers are evident in his music. He says he has some influence with the town council.
There are two Standard pronunciations of both the noun and the verb: IN-floo-ins for most Americans, and in-FLOO-ins for users of Southern Regional dialect. Some commentators have wrongly assumed that the pronunciation with stress on the second syllable is Common or Vulgar; it’s not—it’s Southern, and it’s Standard there.
