formative influence

[alpacinou]

Hello.

Can I say someone "has had a formative influence" on another person's life?

What do you think about this sentence?

He was raised by his two parents but it was his aunt who has had the most formative influence on his character.

If this doesn't work, how should say someone influence another person the most?

 

[teechar]

Re: formative influnce

Hello.
Can I say someone "has had a formative influence" on another person's life?

You can.

What do you think about this sentence?

I think it can be improved. For a start, why do you use past simple "was" and follow it by the present perfect "has had"? Also, is "two" necessary?

He was raised by his [STRIKE]two[/STRIKE] parents, but it was his aunt who [STRIKE]has[/STRIKE] had the most [STRIKE]formative[/STRIKE] influence on (the formation of) his character.

If this doesn't work, how should [STRIKE]say[/STRIKE] express the idea that someone influenced another person the most?

See above.

 

[Tdol]

Re: formative influnce

It could just be me, but I prefer who was the formative influence.

 

[jutfrank]

Re: formative influnce

I don't much like teechar's the most influence (sorry). I'd suggest the greatest influence there.

I like alpacinoutd's original the most formative too.

 

[tedmc]

Re: formative influnce

I think 'formative' collocates better with "years". "Formative years" is the period when one is most easily influenced i.e. one's teenage years.