beyond the control of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beyond the control of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to mean that something cannot be affected, stopped, or changed, usually due to forces outside of one's control. For example: Nothing we could do was beyond the control of the flooding waters.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's another development beyond the control of presidents.

The Washington Post

They are beyond the control of any government or regulator.

The New York Times - Magazine

"This crisis is an act of god – completely beyond the control of airlines.

The Guardian

In particular, they complained that the missing postmarks were beyond the control of the individual voters.

The New York Times

Such a natural disaster would be seen as beyond the control of any man.

The New York Times

There are, however, variables at play beyond the control of the electoral commission.

The Guardian

"It is something that is beyond the control of the travel supplier," he said.

The New York Times

The hits take off as information spreads beyond the control of the studio.

The New York Times

The solutions to these problems are beyond the control of any individual.

The New York Times - Magazine

The situation has steadily grown beyond the control of state tax and immigration authorities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

These things happen all the time and are beyond the control of the estate agent.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beyond the control of", ensure the context clearly indicates what entity lacks control and what factor is uncontrollable. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "beyond the control of" when the situation involves negligence or mismanagement. The phrase is best suited for situations where external, unmanageable forces are at play, not internal failures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beyond the control of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate that something is not subject to influence or management. It describes limitations imposed by external factors, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "beyond the control of" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies a lack of influence or management over a situation. It is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse writing contexts, ranging from news reports to academic papers, according to Ludwig. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what is uncontrollable and what entity lacks control. While alternatives like "out of one's hands" or "outside the scope of" exist, "beyond the control of" remains a direct and widely recognized way to express the limitations imposed by external factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of one's hands

Suggests a loss of control or responsibility over a situation.

outside the scope of

Focuses on the limits of authority or responsibility rather than direct influence.

not within the power of

Emphasizes the lack of capacity or ability to influence something.

not subject to

Emphasizes a lack of obligation or susceptibility, subtly different from lacking influence.

unaffected by

Highlights the lack of impact from an external force, rather than the ability to manage it.

free from the influence of

Highlights the absence of controlling power by an external subject.

independent of

Indicates a state of being separate and not influenced by something else.

not governed by

Focuses on the lack of rules or management of an organization.

beyond one's jurisdiction

Highlights situations where the authority can't be legitimately applied or exercised.

not amenable to

Emphasizes the impossibility of acting on something due to an intrinsic problem.

FAQs

How can I use "beyond the control of" in a sentence?

Use "beyond the control of" to describe situations where an individual or entity lacks the ability to influence or manage an outcome. For example: "The weather conditions were "beyond the control of" the event organizers".

What are some alternatives to saying "beyond the control of"?

You can use alternatives like "outside the scope of", "out of one's hands", or "unaffected by" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "beyond the control of" in formal writing?

Yes, "beyond the control of" is suitable for formal writing. Ludwig AI shows that it appears frequently in news articles, academic papers, and business documents, indicating its acceptability in professional contexts.

What is the difference between "beyond the control of" and "out of the hands of"?

"Beyond the control of" emphasizes the lack of ability to influence a situation, while "out of one's hands" often implies a relinquishing of responsibility or a loss of direct influence. Both indicate a lack of control, but the latter suggests a more active disengagement.