control on

USAGE SUMMARY

"control on" is not correct and usable in written English.
You could use the phrase "take control" instead. For example, "She needs to take control of the situation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

More privacy and control on one side.

TechCrunch

It was brought under control on Monday evening.

The New York Times

But no control on what they wanted to do".

The Guardian - Film

Cattle raiding is out of control on some borders.

The Guardian

He was losing that control on the day in question".

The Guardian

Foos lost control on other occasions, each time risking exposure.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's one thing to lose your self-control on Twitter.

The Guardian - Opinion

You have to have self-control on the pitch".

Independent

There's no self-control on my side.

Huffington Post

Nation states declare airtight tighter regulatory control -- on the surface.

Huffington Post

Nicaragua Nights is available via Create/Control on May 15.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Exert control over" implies a more active and forceful application of influence than simply "have control over".

Common error

Avoid using "control on" in formal or academic writing. Although it appears in some sources, it's not considered grammatically correct and can weaken your argument. Always prefer established alternatives such as "control over" or "regulation of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "control on" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often intending to describe a relationship of influence or regulation. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Therefore, while it appears in numerous examples, it is not advisable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "control on" appears frequently across various sources, including news, science, and wiki articles, it is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. Therefore, it's advisable to avoid using "control on" in formal writing. Instead, opt for established and grammatically sound alternatives like "take control of", "have control over", or other contextually appropriate phrases. Despite its common occurrence, prioritizing grammatical correctness enhances the clarity and credibility of your writing. Remember that frequency doesn't always equate to correctness; choose precise and accurate language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take control of

Replaces "control on" with a verb-preposition combination indicating assumption of command.

have control over

Substitutes "control on" with a prepositional phrase emphasizing possession of influence.

exert control over

Emphasizes the active application of influence, replacing "control on" with a more forceful verb.

establish control over

Focuses on the act of creating influence or authority, changing the focus of "control on".

maintain control over

Highlights the preservation of existing authority or influence, altering the tense and focus of "control on".

place under control

Indicates the act of bringing something into a state of regulation, shifting the agency compared to "control on".

exercise control over

Uses a more formal verb to indicate the use of power or influence, changing the tone of "control on".

implement control measures

Focuses on the specific actions taken to regulate something, diverging from the general sense of "control on".

tighten control over

Emphasizes making existing control more strict, changing the nuance of "control on".

regulate

Uses a single verb to convey the concept of controlling something, greatly simplifying "control on".

FAQs

How can I properly use the word "control" in a sentence?

Instead of using the grammatically incorrect phrase "control on", consider using alternatives like "take control of" or "have control over" followed by the object you are controlling.

What's a better phrase than "control on" to indicate influence?

Phrases such as "exert control over", "maintain control over", or "establish control over" offer more grammatically sound ways to express influence or authority, depending on the context.

Is "control on" ever considered grammatically correct?

No, "control on" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's best to avoid this phrase in favor of more accepted alternatives.

What can I say instead of "control on" to indicate regulation?

You could use phrases like "implement control measures" or "place under control". A single word alternative could be "regulate".