by taking control of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by taking control of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of gaining authority or influence over something or someone. Example: "The organization improved its efficiency by taking control of its supply chain management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Wednesday, a collie caused mild havoc by taking control of a tractor on the M74.

The Guardian - Opinion

They then tightened their grip by taking control of administrative buildings and army bases in Conakry.

The New York Times

This could be reversed, he suggested, by "taking control of our own destiny" outside the EU.

The Guardian

By taking control of my physical space, I opened up a new emotional space for myself.

The Guardian - Opinion

By taking control of her husband's empire, Mrs. Wang became, by some estimates, the richest woman in Asia.

The New York Times

In Iraq's case, the money was recouped by taking control of its oil exports and making deductions from the revenue.

The Guardian

When Stern offered to solve the problem by taking control of the Detroit-based organisation Schoep, he said, readily agreed.

The Guardian

By taking control of the sites, Microsoft can stop future cyberattacks and monitor how infected computers were compromised.

The New York Times

MalwareTech collected the data by taking control of one of the domain names used in the attack.

The New York Times

Atlante's first test came last week, when it was forced to shoulder a heavier burden than expected by taking control of Popolare di Vicenza, Italy's eighth largest lender.

The Guardian

She's a girl trying to become a woman by taking control of her own sexuality and her impetuous inexperience is both beautifully and horribly well-observed.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by taking control of", ensure that the subject clearly benefits from the action. This strengthens the cause-and-effect relationship in your sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "by taking control of" in overly passive constructions. Instead, make the subject of the sentence the active agent performing the action to create a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by taking control of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the means or method through which an action is accomplished. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes how a particular outcome is achieved through the act of assuming authority or command.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by taking control of" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to illustrate how assuming authority leads to specific outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to clarify cause-and-effect relationships across a spectrum of contexts, primarily within news, business, and technical domains. While authoritative sources frequently employ it, writers should be mindful of avoiding passive constructions to ensure clear and impactful communication. Alternatives such as "by assuming command over" or "by seizing authority over" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by assuming command over

Emphasizes a formal assumption of authority, often in a military or hierarchical context.

by seizing authority over

Implies a forceful or sudden acquisition of power.

by gaining mastery of

Focuses on developing expertise and skill to exert control.

by dominating

Suggests a more aggressive and comprehensive form of control.

by monopolizing

Highlights exclusive control, especially in a market or resource context.

by commandeering

Implies taking control for a specific purpose, often temporarily.

by appropriating

Focuses on the act of taking something for one's own use or control.

by superintending

Involves overseeing and directing activities or operations.

by stewarding

Emphasizes responsible management and control over something.

by shepherding

Suggests guiding and protecting, implying a gentle form of control.

FAQs

How can I use "by taking control of" in a sentence?

Use "by taking control of" to show how assuming authority or responsibility leads to a specific outcome. For example: "The company improved its efficiency "by taking control of" its supply chain management".

What are some alternatives to "by taking control of"?

You can use phrases like "by assuming command over", "by seizing authority over", or "by gaining mastery of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "by taking control of" and "by being in control of"?

"By taking control of" emphasizes the action of assuming authority, while "by being in control of" describes a state of already possessing authority. The former implies a change, while the latter implies a stable condition.

When is it best to use "by taking control of" instead of "by managing"?

"By taking control of" is more appropriate when there's a need to actively assume authority or correct a lack of control, whereas "by managing" suggests ongoing oversight and maintenance of something already under control.