be under control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be under control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a situation, process, or behavior is being managed or regulated effectively. Example: "After several weeks of training, the new software is finally under control and functioning as intended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inflation seems to be under control.

The Economist

"I have to be under control.

The New York Times - Sports

Things seemed to be under control.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Everybody seems to be under control".

The New York Times - Sports

Aid workers said the situation appeared to be under control.

The Guardian

Tuberculosis is an illness that was once thought to be under control.

The New York Times

"They are on a hiring frenzy, yet their expenses seem to be under control," he said.

The New York Times

Yet all of this would-be chaos appears to be under control.

The New York Times

You have to do something about it, but you have to be under control".

The New York Times - Sports

They did not offer an estimate of when it would be under control.

The New York Times

"The flash was going off, and things seemed to be under control," Ms. Patel said.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be under control", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being managed or regulated. For instance, specify whether it's a situation, a process, or a person's behavior. For example, instead of saying "The situation is under control" specify "The fire is under control".

Common error

Ensure that the subject of the sentence is clear when using "be under control". Ambiguous pronouns can lead to confusion; specify what exactly is being controlled to avoid misinterpretation. For instance, instead of saying "It is under control", specify "The budget is under control".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be under control" functions primarily as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the state of a subject, indicating that it is being managed or regulated effectively, as illustrated by Ludwig AI. It is often used after a linking verb such as "is", "seems", or "appears".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be under control" is a versatile phrase used to express that a situation, process, or entity is being effectively managed or regulated. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, including news, science, and business. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what is being controlled and avoiding vague pronouns. Alternatives like "be managed" or "be contained" can be used depending on the specific context. Remember to properly conjugate the verb "be" to maintain grammatical accuracy. With its common usage and clear meaning, "be under control" remains a valuable phrase in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be managed

Focuses on the action of managing rather than the state of being controlled.

be regulated

Implies a formal or systematic method of control, often by an external authority.

be in check

Suggests that something is being restrained or kept within limits.

be in hand

Indicates that a situation is being dealt with effectively.

be supervised

Emphasizes oversight and direction by someone in authority.

be contained

Highlights the prevention of something from spreading or escalating.

be governed

Implies rule or direction, often by a set of principles or laws.

be restrained

Focuses on limiting or restricting something's freedom or movement.

be directed

Highlights the guidance and management of a process or activity.

be administered

Suggests a formal or organized approach to managing something.

FAQs

How can I use "be under control" in a sentence?

You can use "be under control" to indicate that something is being effectively managed or regulated. For example, "The project is now "be under control" after the new management took over" or "The spread of the virus seems to "be under control" thanks to the vaccination campaign".

What are some alternatives to "be under control"?

Alternatives to "be under control" include phrases like "be managed", "be regulated", "be in hand", or "be contained", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the situation is be under control"?

No, the correct grammatical form is "the situation is "be under control"". The verb "be" needs to be conjugated properly to match the subject and tense of the sentence. Thus, "is under control" is the accurate form.

What does it mean when something is described as "be under control"?

When something is described as "be under control", it means that it is being effectively managed, regulated, or handled. It implies that the situation, process, or entity is stable and not likely to cause unexpected problems.