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The influence of three oxidizing systems on/over the reduction of concentration of water solutions of formaldehyde has been studies.

What should be appropriate use of preposition in this case and why? I have known that influence can take up to three prepositions according to use like, influence with person, influence on something. But I have also seen example like

The kid next door is a bad/good influence on Kevin.

Someone clarify which preposition to use in what context.

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  • I edited your question to fix several spelling errors. Since you did spell each of these words correctly elsewhere in your question, I assumed this was simple oversight. I strongly encourage you to be punctilious in avoiding spelling mistakes, even in casual communication, as this is one of the fundamental ways native speakers judge your English ability.
    – Andrew
    Commented Dec 4, 2018 at 7:56
  • Here you would say that you "know", not that you "have known". And "has been studied".
    – TimR
    Commented Dec 4, 2018 at 9:59

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Both "on" and "over" are acceptable prepositions to use with "influence"; however in this context of a scientific experiment, "on" is probably the more idiomatic choice. In most contexts, "on" implies a variable or unknown degree of influence. Example:

This study measured the influence of small concentrations of various environmental contaminants on the mating habits of Columba livia domestica (the common domestic pigeon)

"Over" implies a greater degree of influence, or influence over a wider range. For example:

The senators have repeatedly questioned whether the President has had an undue influence over the investigation.

Here we could use "on", but it would change the meaning, as the writer wants to say that the senators implied the President did improperly influence the investigation.

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  • What about influence 'with'? When do we use that?
    – Ritwik Bhattacharyya
    Commented Dec 5, 2018 at 12:06
  • @RitwikBhattacharyya Those three aren't the complete list. There's also influence in, under, by, upon, and various others. Most of these -- including with -- use the common interpretation of the preposition.
    – Andrew
    Commented Dec 5, 2018 at 16:47

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