B1 Collocation Formal 5 min read

influencer des étude

to influencer a étude

Literally: {"influencer":"to influence","des":"of the","\u00e9tude":"study"}

In 15 Seconds

  • Steering research outcomes unethically.
  • Subtly manipulating study results.
  • Focuses on the *act* of biasing research.
  • Carries a negative, manipulative vibe.

Meaning

This phrase means you're trying to sway or manipulate the results of a research project or academic study. It's about subtly (or not so subtly!) nudging things in a particular direction to get the outcome you want. Think of it as putting your thumb on the scale of scientific inquiry, which can feel a bit shady.

Key Examples

3 of 12
1

Texting a friend about a documentary

J'ai vu ce docu sur les OGM, ils essaient clairement d'influencer des étude pour discréditer les scientifiques indépendants.

I saw this doc about GMOs, they are clearly trying to influence studies to discredit independent scientists.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>
2

Discussing academic integrity

Le financement privé peut parfois mener à des tentatives d'influencer des étude dans des domaines sensibles comme la santé.

Private funding can sometimes lead to attempts to influence studies in sensitive fields like health.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>
3

Instagram caption about a controversial topic

Attention aux sources! On voit partout des gens qui veulent influencer des étude pour servir leur propre agenda.

Watch out for your sources! We see people everywhere who want to influence studies to serve their own agenda.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>
🌍

Cultural Background

The 'Affaire du Mediator' is a famous real-world example where a pharmaceutical company was accused of influencing studies to hide dangerous side effects. It changed how the French view medical research. In Quebec, debates often arise about the influence of the oil industry on environmental studies, especially regarding the 'sables bitumineux'. The term is used frequently in Radio-Canada reports. In French-speaking African nations, the phrase is often used in the context of international NGOs or foreign corporations influencing local agricultural studies to promote specific seeds or pesticides. In the 'Grandes Écoles', there is a strict 'code de déontologie' (code of ethics) that explicitly forbids any attempt to influence the results of a 'mémoire' (thesis) or 'thèse'.

⚠️

No 'ON'!

Never say 'influencer sur'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers. Just say 'influencer quelque chose'.

🎯

The Cedilla Rule

Remember the 'ç' in 'nous influençons'. If you forget it, you're saying 'we influen-kon', which sounds like a strange bird!

In 15 Seconds

  • Steering research outcomes unethically.
  • Subtly manipulating study results.
  • Focuses on the *act* of biasing research.
  • Carries a negative, manipulative vibe.

What It Means

So, influencer des étude is all about trying to steer the results of a study. You're not just observing; you're actively trying to shape what the study finds. It's like trying to convince your friends that your favorite movie is the best ever, even if the data (their opinions) suggests otherwise. It carries a vibe of subtle manipulation, sometimes even a bit of academic or scientific mischief.

How To Use It

You'd use this when someone is trying to bias a research project. Maybe a company is funding a study. They might want to influencer des étude to make their product look good. Or perhaps a scientist has a pet theory. They might try to influencer des étude to prove themselves right. It’s about intent and action. You're trying to change the outcome. It’s not just about having an opinion. It’s about acting on that opinion to alter the study’s findings. It's a bit like bribing the judges in a cooking competition. You want them to say your soufflé is the best, even if it fell a bit.

Real-Life Examples

Imagine a pharmaceutical company. They fund research on their new drug. If they try to select only positive results, they are trying to influencer des étude. Or consider a university department. They might push for research that aligns with their professors' interests. This could be an attempt to influencer des étude. Think about political polls too. If a campaign tries to skew the questions asked, they're aiming to influencer des étude. It’s a common theme in investigative journalism. They often uncover attempts to manipulate scientific findings. These attempts are usually frowned upon. They undermine the integrity of the research. It’s like asking your grandma to review your art project. You know she’ll say it’s brilliant, no matter what.

When To Use It

Use influencer des étude when you want to describe unethical or biased manipulation of research. It's perfect for discussions about scientific integrity. You can use it when talking about corporate funding of studies. It fits when discussing academic politics. It’s also good for describing attempts to sway public opinion through biased data. Think about situations where the motive is to get a specific result. The goal isn't objective truth. It’s a predetermined conclusion. It’s like when you ask your friend to be a character witness. You hope they’ll only say nice things, right?

When NOT To Use It

Don't use influencer des étude for simple disagreements or debates. If you just think a study is wrong, you'd say it's erroné (erroneous) or discutable (debatable). It's not for expressing a personal opinion. It’s specifically for actions taken to manipulate research outcomes. You wouldn't use it for everyday influence, like convincing someone to see a movie. That’s just persuasion. This phrase implies a more serious, often unethical, attempt to skew results. It's not for when your friend tries to influencer your choice of pizza topping. Unless they're running a secret pineapple lobby.

Common Mistakes

A big mistake is using influencer with le résultat (the result) in a general sense. You might say influencer le résultat, but for a study, influencer des étude is more specific. Another error is confusing it with simply critiquer une étude (criticizing a study). Critiquing is fine. Manipulating is not. Let's look at some wrong turns:

influencer le résultat de l'étude influencer l'étude or influencer les résultats de l'étude (While understandable, influencer des étude is the idiomatic collocation for the *act* of influencing the study itself).
persuader une étude influencer une étude (Persuader is for people, not abstract concepts like studies).
affecter une étude influencer une étude (Affecter means to affect or impact, not necessarily to manipulate).

Similar Expressions

There's manipuler les résultats (to manipulate the results). This is very close and often used. biaiser une étude (to bias a study) is also similar. It focuses on introducing bias. orienter la recherche (to steer the research) can be used. It's a bit softer. falsifier des données (to falsify data) is more extreme. It means outright lying with numbers. influencer des étude is about the *process* of nudging. It's like the difference between subtly suggesting a plot twist and outright rewriting the ending.

Common Variations

Sometimes you'll see influencer les résultats d'une étude (to influence the results of a study). This is more explicit. You might also hear exercer une influence sur une étude (to exert influence on a study). This is a bit more formal. The core idea remains the same: applying pressure to get a desired outcome. It's like saying "pushing buttons" versus "applying pressure."

Memory Trick

💡

Imagine a student dyeing the results of their étude. They're trying to influence it! The student dyeing is the key. See them with a paintbrush, splashing red paint (for 'influence') all over their research paper. It's a silly image, but it sticks! The étude (study) is being influencé (influenced) by the student who dyes it.

Quick FAQ

Q. Is influencer des étude always negative?

A. Yes, it almost always carries a negative connotation. It implies unethical manipulation rather than genuine scientific inquiry. You're essentially trying to cheat the system of research.

Q. Can you use it for social media studies?

A. Yes, if someone is trying to manipulate engagement metrics or survey results for a social media campaign, you could say they are trying to influencer des étude related to their brand's online presence.

Usage Notes

This phrase is generally neutral to slightly informal in register. It's best used when discussing potential or actual bias in research contexts. Avoid using it for simple disagreements; focus on situations where the integrity of a study is questioned due to external pressures or manipulative intent.

⚠️

No 'ON'!

Never say 'influencer sur'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers. Just say 'influencer quelque chose'.

🎯

The Cedilla Rule

Remember the 'ç' in 'nous influençons'. If you forget it, you're saying 'we influen-kon', which sounds like a strange bird!

💬

Use in Debates

This is a great phrase for the DELF B2 exam. It shows you can discuss complex social and ethical issues.

Examples

12
#1 Texting a friend about a documentary
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

J'ai vu ce docu sur les OGM, ils essaient clairement d'influencer des étude pour discréditer les scientifiques indépendants.

I saw this doc about GMOs, they are clearly trying to influence studies to discredit independent scientists.

Here, 'influencer des étude' refers to the filmmakers' attempt to manipulate the perception of scientific research.

#2 Discussing academic integrity
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

Le financement privé peut parfois mener à des tentatives d'influencer des étude dans des domaines sensibles comme la santé.

Private funding can sometimes lead to attempts to influence studies in sensitive fields like health.

This highlights the potential for bias when money is involved in research.

#3 Instagram caption about a controversial topic
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

Attention aux sources! On voit partout des gens qui veulent influencer des étude pour servir leur propre agenda.

Watch out for your sources! We see people everywhere who want to influence studies to serve their own agenda.

Used here as a warning about biased information circulating online.

#4 Formal debate on scientific ethics
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

Il est impératif de maintenir l'indépendance des chercheurs pour éviter qu'ils tentent d'influencer des étude à des fins personnelles.

It is imperative to maintain the independence of researchers to prevent them from trying to influence studies for personal gain.

A formal statement emphasizing the importance of unbiased research.

#5 WhatsApp message to a colleague
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

Tu crois que le labo va essayer d'influencer des étude sur ce nouveau produit ? J'ai un mauvais pressentiment.

Do you think the lab will try to influence studies on this new product? I have a bad feeling.

Expressing suspicion about potential manipulation in a business context.

#6 Humorous take on online reviews
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

Mon chat essaie d'influencer des étude sur la meilleure marque de croquettes en miaulant devant la pub.

My cat is trying to influence studies on the best brand of kibble by meowing at the ads.

A lighthearted, absurd use of the phrase for comedic effect.

#7 Expressing concern about a study's fairness
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4.318 6.318a4.5 4.5 0 000 6.364L12 20.364l7.682-7.682a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364-6.364L12 7.636l-1.318-1.318a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364 0z"/></svg>

Je suis inquiet, j'ai l'impression qu'on essaie d'influencer des étude pour prouver que le télétravail est moins productif.

I'm worried, I feel like they are trying to influence studies to prove that remote work is less productive.

Shows emotional investment in the fairness of research findings.

Common Mistake: Using the wrong verb Common Mistake
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

✗ Le gouvernement essaie de `persuader des étude` sur le climat. → ✓ Le gouvernement essaie d'influencer des étude sur le climat.

✗ The government is trying to persuade studies about climate. → ✓ The government is trying to influence studies about climate.

`Persuader` is for convincing people, not abstract concepts like studies.

Common Mistake: Incorrect preposition/article Common Mistake
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

✗ Il veut influencer `le étude` scientifique. → ✓ Il veut influencer `l'étude` scientifique.

✗ He wants to influence the scientific study. → ✓ He wants to influence the scientific study.

The article `le` should be `l'` before a vowel sound (`étude`). The phrase `influencer des étude` itself implies multiple studies or the general concept.

#10 Job Interview - discussing research bias
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

Dans mon précédent rôle, j'ai veillé à ce qu'aucune pression externe n'essaie d'influencer des étude menées par notre équipe.

In my previous role, I ensured that no external pressure tried to influence studies conducted by our team.

Demonstrates a proactive stance on maintaining research integrity in a professional setting.

#11 Critiquing a biased news report

Ce reportage semble vouloir influencer des étude existantes pour soutenir une conclusion préconçue sur la vaccination.

This report seems to want to influence existing studies to support a preconceived conclusion about vaccination.

Highlights how media can selectively use or interpret research.

#12 Online forum discussion about research funding

Quand une entreprise finance une étude, il y a toujours le risque qu'elle essaie d'influencer des étude pour que les résultats lui soient favorables.

When a company funds a study, there's always the risk it will try to influence studies so the results are favorable to it.

Discusses a common concern regarding conflicts of interest in research.

Test Yourself

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'influencer'.

Nous ne voulons pas que l'argent _______ nos études.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: influence

After 'que', we need the subjunctive. For 'l'argent' (it), the form is 'influence'.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Choose the right one:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il a influencé l'étude.

'Influencer' is a direct transitive verb; it doesn't take a preposition.

Match the French phrase with its English equivalent.

Match them up:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a

These are all key terms in the semantic field of scientific ethics.

Fill in the missing word in this dialogue.

A: Pourquoi ce rapport est-il suspect ? B: Parce que le lobby du tabac a _______ les études.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: influencé

In the context of a lobby and a suspect report, 'influencé' is the logical choice.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

Practice Bank

4 exercises
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'influencer'. Fill Blank B1

Nous ne voulons pas que l'argent _______ nos études.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: influence

After 'que', we need the subjunctive. For 'l'argent' (it), the form is 'influence'.

Which sentence is grammatically correct? Choose A2

Choose the right one:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il a influencé l'étude.

'Influencer' is a direct transitive verb; it doesn't take a preposition.

Match the French phrase with its English equivalent. Match B1

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a

These are all key terms in the semantic field of scientific ethics.

Fill in the missing word in this dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: Pourquoi ce rapport est-il suspect ? B: Parce que le lobby du tabac a _______ les études.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: influencé

In the context of a lobby and a suspect report, 'influencé' is the logical choice.

🎉 Score: /4

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In 90% of cases, yes. It implies a lack of objectivity. However, in the context of 'guiding a student', it can be neutral, though 'orienter' is better there.

Not really. If your friend helps you with homework, they are 'helping' (aider), not 'influencing a study'.

'Influencer' is more subtle and can happen without people realizing it. 'Manipuler' is intentional and usually involves lying.

You say 'une étude biaisée'.

It must be 'études' (plural) because 'des' is a plural article. 'Des étude' is a grammatical error.

Yes, but be careful! You are essentially accusing someone of being unethical. Use it only if you have proof.

Une étude indépendante or une étude objective.

Yes, it's the same root, but an 'influenceur' influences people's opinions, not scientific data (usually!).

To keep the 's' sound before 'a' or 'o'. Without it, the 'c' would sound like 'k'.

Very common in 'Le Monde', 'Libération', and other major French newspapers when discussing scandals.

Related Phrases

🔄

Biaiser les résultats

synonym

To bias the results

🔗

Truquer les chiffres

specialized form

To rig the numbers

🔗

Orienter le débat

similar

To steer the debate

🔗

Avoir un parti pris

builds on

To have a bias/prejudice

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!