come under control

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation that is becoming manageable (usually after being chaotic or out of control for a while). For example: The chaos at the store took a while to come under control, but eventually the store manager was able to get the customers back in order.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

They want to see illegal immigration come under control.

The Washington Post

"That priority is likely to change now that the debt situation has come under control.

The New York Times

NTV has since come under control of the state-dominated natural gas monopoly Gazprom.

The New York Times

It implies an abundant talent that hasn't yet come under control.

The New Yorker

Through either vertical integration or capture of sources of supply, material inputs come under control.

Harvard Business Review

"The fire has not come under control yet," Fernando Clavijo, regional president of the Canaries, told reporters.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Was the situation coming under control?

The Guardian

Later it came under control of the Pala dynasty.

Britannica

As the infection came under control, the shell of rage fell away to a quiet dissatisfaction.

Stanford University

Her highest notes seemed slightly unsettled at first, but quickly came under control.

The New York Times - Arts

As investigators pursued leads, antivirus companies said that the infection was coming under control.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come under control" to describe situations where something previously chaotic or unmanaged is now being effectively handled.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "come under control"; instead, specify who or what is bringing something under control for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come under control" functions as a predicate in sentences, describing a change in state where something transitions from being unmanaged to being managed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come under control" is a versatile expression used to describe the transition of a situation or entity from a state of being unmanaged to one of being managed. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its relevance in reporting and academic discussions. While primarily neutral in register, understanding its function and purpose allows for effective and clear communication. Remember to focus on clarity and be wary of overusing passive voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be brought under management

Focuses more on the act of managing something, implying a structured approach.

be brought under regulation

Emphasizes the aspect of rules and laws governing something.

be brought under supervision

Highlights the act of overseeing and directing something.

be contained

Implies restricting or preventing something from spreading or escalating.

be subdued

Suggests a reduction in intensity or force.

be restrained

Implies holding something back or preventing it from acting freely.

be governed

Focuses on the act of ruling or controlling something.

be tamed

Suggests making something wild or uncontrollable docile.

be mastered

Emphasizes achieving complete control or skill over something.

be reined in

Implies a forceful act of controlling or limiting something.

FAQs

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

You can use "come under control" to describe situations where something, such as a fire or a disease, is being managed effectively. For example, "The wildfire finally "came under control" after days of firefighting efforts."

What are some alternatives to "come under control"?

You can use alternatives like "be contained", "be subdued", or "be restrained" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "came under control" or "came into control"?

"Came under control" is the more idiomatic and commonly used phrase. "Came into control" is less frequent and may sound awkward.

What does it mean when something "comes under control"?

It means that a situation or entity that was previously unmanaged or chaotic is now being effectively managed and regulated.