control of suspense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "control of suspense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to storytelling, film, or any situation where managing tension or anticipation is relevant. Example: "The director's mastery in the control of suspense kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the film."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is a cunning control of suspense.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is novel that attests not only to Mr. McEwan's mastery of craft and virtuosic control of narrative suspense, but also to his knowledge of the human heart and its rage for symmetry and order.

The New York Times - Books

The race for control of the House may lack suspense — a continued Republican majority is all but a certainty.

The New York Times

You practically die of suspense.

The New Yorker

This should strike a chord of suspense.

The New York Times

The angle of suspense is ever shifting.

The New York Times - Books

There is a moment of suspense.

The New Yorker

"It's a story of suspense," he said.

The New Yorker

(a) No, because eliminates from ride element of suspense.

The New Yorker

The element of suspense never comes into play.

The New York Times - Arts

Now whatever veneer of suspense is long gone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "control of suspense" when you want to emphasize the deliberate and skillful management of tension and anticipation in a narrative or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "control of suspense" too frequently. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or unnatural. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "managing suspense" or "building tension".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "control of suspense" functions as a noun phrase, where "control" acts as the head noun and "of suspense" serves as a prepositional phrase modifying "control". It refers to the ability or act of managing and directing the feeling of anticipation or uncertainty. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Arts

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "control of suspense" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich expression used to describe the management and direction of suspense, predominantly in the realms of storytelling and strategic planning. While considered relatively rare in occurrence, as per Ludwig's analysis, its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker underscores its validity. As Ludwig AI states, the expression is correct, therefore, writers can confidently employ it, remembering to vary language for stylistic effect. Alternatives include "managing suspense" and "building tension".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managing suspense

Focuses on the act of managing, implying ongoing effort to maintain suspense.

manipulating suspense

Suggests a deliberate and possibly skillful handling of suspense.

building suspense

Emphasizes the creation and escalation of suspense.

maintaining suspense

Highlights the effort to keep suspense at a consistent level.

handling suspense

A more general term for dealing with suspense.

orchestrating suspense

Implies a careful and artistic arrangement of suspenseful elements.

directing suspense

Suggests guiding or channeling suspense towards a specific outcome.

regulating suspense

Highlights the act of keeping suspense within certain limits.

channeling suspense

Implies directing suspense toward a particular focus or effect.

governing suspense

Suggests a structured or rule-based approach to handling suspense.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "control of suspense" in writing?

To use "control of suspense" effectively, consider how you can "manage suspense" through pacing, foreshadowing, and withholding information to keep your audience engaged.

What are some alternatives to "control of suspense" in storytelling?

Alternatives to "control of suspense" include "building tension", "managing anticipation", and "orchestrating suspense", each offering a slightly different nuance.

In what contexts is the phrase "control of suspense" most appropriate?

The phrase "control of suspense" is most appropriate in contexts discussing narrative techniques in literature, film, or other forms of storytelling where the "manipulation of suspense" is a key element.

How does "control of suspense" differ from simply creating suspense?

"Control of suspense" implies not just creating suspense but also "maintaining suspense", directing, and "regulating suspense" its intensity to achieve a specific effect, whereas creating suspense is a more general term.