at the helm of

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the helm of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is responsible for the direction or control of a particular project or situation. For example, "John took the lead role in the project and was at the helm of the entire operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pablo Isla succeeded Mr Alierta at the helm of Tabacalera.

The Economist

He is still at the helm of the Carso Group".

The Guardian - Business

A man at the helm of a mighty soliloquy!

The Guardian - Opinion

He remained at the helm of Macmillan for a decade.

The New York Times

At the helm of the theatre is a ­Yorkshireman.

The Guardian

Being at the helm of such an institution is like being at the helm of an ocean liner — it doesn't turn on a dime.

The New York Times - Arts

However, the company said DeLuca remains at the helm of the business.

Independent

The majestic drummer celebrates the album's fortieth anniversary at the helm of a quartet.

The New Yorker

David Dinsmore, 44, will replace Dominic Mohan at the helm of Britain's best-selling daily.

Independent

He has spent nearly 15 years at the helm of the Federal Reserve.

The Economist

This, it seems, is down to her time at the helm of eBay.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the helm of" when you want to convey the idea of someone being in a leadership position, especially when they are guiding a company, project, or organization through challenges or changes. It adds a sense of direction and control.

Common error

Avoid using "at the helm of" for minor roles or tasks; reserve it for positions of significant authority and responsibility. Using it too loosely diminishes its impact and can sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the helm of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the position of leadership or control. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use to specify who is in charge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the helm of" is a prepositional phrase used to describe someone in a leading or governing position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, suggesting a professional or neutral register. While alternatives like "in charge of" or "leading" exist, "at the helm of" carries a nuance of guidance and control, making it particularly suitable for describing leadership roles within organizations and projects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the head of

Similar in meaning, but uses "head" instead of "helm" as the metaphor for leadership.

in charge of

Replaces the metaphorical "helm" with a more direct expression of responsibility.

steering

Maintains the nautical metaphor, focusing on the act of guiding direction.

leading

A more concise verb form indicating the act of guiding or directing.

managing

Focuses on the administrative aspect of control and direction.

directing

Emphasizes the act of giving instructions and guiding actions.

in control of

Highlights the aspect of maintaining command and authority.

governing

Implies a broader scope of control, often over a group or organization.

spearheading

Emphasizes the act of initiating and driving forward a project or initiative.

presiding over

Suggests a formal role of leadership, often in meetings or ceremonies.

FAQs

How can I use "at the helm of" in a sentence?

Use "at the helm of" to indicate someone is leading an organization or project. For example, "She is "at the helm of" a major corporation".

What are some alternatives to "at the helm of"?

You can use alternatives like "in charge of", "leading", or "managing" depending on the context.

Is "at the helm of" formal or informal?

"At the helm of" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for professional and news contexts.

What does "at the helm of" imply about the person in charge?

It implies that the person is not only in a leadership position but also actively guiding and directing the organization or project, similar to how a captain steers a ship.