the tentacles of her influence

[alpacinou]

Hello,

I want to suggest a person has a massive influence on another person's life. Can I use "tentacle" figuratively?

What do you think about this sentence?


The tentacles of her influence could be felt in every aspect of his life. From his business dealings to his social interactions.

 

[jutfrank]

I don't see why not.

 

[emsr2d2]

The tentacles of her influence could be felt in every aspect of his life, from his business dealings to his social interactions.

Note my correction above. You wrote two sentences but it should have been just one.

 

[alpacinou]

Can I use it in this way? What do you think about this sentence?

She slowly extended tentacles of her influence in every aspect of his life.

I want to convey the idea that she slowly and intangibly became more and more influential in his life.

 

[tedmc]

How about: The tentacles of her influence slowly creep into every aspect of his life?

 

[emsr2d2]

How about: The tentacles of her influence slowly creep into every aspect of his life?

The present tense is unnatural there. It's not a habitual action. Also, post #4 said "She slowly extended ..." so I think your version should have been "The tentacles of her influence slowly crept into every aspect of his life".

 

[tedmc]

The present tense is unnatural there. It's not a habitual action. Also, post #4 said "She slowly extended ..." so I think your version should have been "The tentacles of her influence slowly crept into every aspect of his life".

The present tense can be used in a narrative and not just a habitual action, can't it? It is not neccsarily related to OP's post.

 

[Raymott]

She slowly extended tentacles of her influence in every aspect of his life.

You need "into" here, unless you mean her tentacles were already in every aspect of his life, and she spread them.
I could explain why, but hope that you get it.

 

[alpacinou]

I will go with this:

The tentacles of her influence slowly crept into every aspect of his life.

I know EMSR2d2 said it, but was he trying to fix the original sentence but is this natural sounding and something said by natives?

 

[emsr2d2]

I will go with this:

The tentacles of her influence slowly crept into every aspect of his life.

I know [STRIKE]EMSR2d2[/STRIKE] emsr2d2 said it, but was he/she simply trying to fix the original sentence? [STRIKE]but[/STRIKE] Is this natural-sounding and something that would/might be said by natives?

Note my corrections above. If you don't know the sex of a user, use either "he/she" or "they". My correction of the original sentence was in post #3. The sentence I suggested in post #6 was an amendment to tedmc's suggestion in post #5.

 

[alpacinou]

Thanks. But I still have to make sure this is a natural-sounding and native-like sentence:

The tentacles of her influence slowly crept into every aspect of his life.

 

[emsr2d2]

Do you think I would have suggested it in post #6 if it wasn't correct? It's hard to say if it's natural-sounding. I can't imagine ever being in a scenario where I might have to say it. It's a bit over the top.

 

[Tarheel]

I wouldn't use tentacles. It makes me think of an octopus. Perhaps:

Her influence over him increased over time

 

[alpacinou]

Do you think I would have suggested it in post #6 if it wasn't correct? It's hard to say if it's natural-sounding. I can't imagine ever being in a scenario where I might have to say it. It's a bit over the top.

Thanks but I was not questioning its correctness. I was asking about it being natural-sounding which you addressed.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Thanks. But I still have to make sure this is a natural-sounding and native-like sentence:

The tentacles of her influence slowly crept into every aspect of his life.

As Ems says, it's fine.

 

[tedmc]

That is being flowery, which obviously is not ems's or Tarheel's cup of tea.