a governing force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a governing force" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to the power or authority that exercises control over something. For example, you can say, "The city council served as a governing force in setting policy for the local county."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

To nothing, is what the Tea Party should be reduced to as a governing force of any sort.

The New York Times

Clegg's authority would be enhanced, his strategy of projecting his party as a governing force would have received a degree of vindication.

Independent

But because the reports are scattered, and in some cases from refugees arriving in Pakistan who are hostile to the Taliban, it is uncertain whether the Taliban are starting to break up as a governing force or are regrouping for a guerrilla war.

The New York Times

Rita Tobin Chappaqua, N.Y., Feb. 11, 2011 • To the Editor: The military as a governing force is a very old tradition in Egypt.

The New York Times

But although red-state conservatives make up a majority of the House Republicans ranks, they have been unable to organize themselves into a governing force.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Consequence, then, rather than fate is the governing force in Kentucky Route Zero, a reminder that we're never wholly able to escape the shitty systems we're a part of.

Vice

In order to generally deal with the rotor-type UAV's collision-free motion planning problem in the unknown static environment, we propose a non-holonomic solution via integration of the KF-based SLAM technique and governing force design.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Whereas the grove may be cultivated, nature, its governing force, is wild.

The Guardian - Books

But his guitar geekery is the album's governing force, and it's usually for the better.

The New York Times - Arts

MR safety testing was performed according to ASTM standards governing force, torque, image artifact, and RF heating.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Sometime within the same month but much after the event of authorities executing a lock-down in sequence to the April 2013 Boston bombings, Paul commented on the tactics used by governing forces into a harsh criticism that he has written as a "military-style occupation of an American city".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a governing force", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being governed and the nature of the force's influence. It is often most effective when referring to abstract concepts or collective entities, such as "public opinion as a governing force in politics".

Common error

Avoid using "a governing force" in contexts where simpler terms like "influence" or "authority" would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex and pretentious. For example, avoid saying "The weather was a governing force on our picnic plans" when "The weather affected our picnic plans" would be clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a governing force" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object, identifying or describing an entity that exerts control or influence. It indicates something that guides or directs actions, decisions, or outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a governing force" is a noun phrase used to describe an entity or factor that wields control or influence. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI states, its frequency is relatively low, categorized as rare. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, alongside science and wiki. Alternatives include "a controlling influence" or "a dominant power". When employing the phrase, ensure it aligns with the appropriate context and avoids overuse in simpler sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a controlling influence

Focuses on the influence aspect, rather than direct governance.

a principal influence

Similar to "a controlling influence", but slightly broader.

a dominant power

Emphasizes the power and dominance aspect of governance.

a central authority

Highlights the centralized aspect of control and governance.

a leading authority

Highlights the authoritative nature and leadership role.

a supreme power

Emphasizes the ultimate and highest level of power.

a regulatory body

Specifically refers to an organization with regulatory control.

the decisive factor

Highlights the ability to determine an outcome.

a driving factor

Indicates a factor that propels or directs action, less about governance.

a prime mover

Emphasizes the initiation and driving aspects of a force.

FAQs

How can I use "a governing force" in a sentence?

Use "a governing force" to describe something that exerts control or influence. For instance, "Tradition can be a powerful governing force in social customs".

What are some alternatives to "a governing force"?

You can use alternatives like "a controlling influence", "a dominant power", or "a leading authority" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a governing force"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the power or authority that something has in directing or controlling a situation, entity, or process. It often implies a systematic or structural influence.

What is the difference between "a governing force" and "a driving factor"?

"A governing force" suggests ongoing control or influence, while "a driving factor" implies something that propels action or change. The first suggests a sustained influence, while the second suggests a more initiating influence.