control the circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "control the circumstances" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability to influence or manage the conditions or factors surrounding a situation. Example: "In order to achieve success, it is essential to control the circumstances that may affect the outcome of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

There was a real and cogent reason to use a controlled laboratory study to provide a calibrated insult, control the circumstances and to define specific endpoints, which is what Simon and colleagues [ 1] have done.

Critical Care

And you can't control the circumstances".

The New York Times

"The ability to control the circumstances of dying is very important for people who choose physician-assisted death," he said.

The Washington Post

The objections cannot outweigh the human right to control the circumstances of one's own death, circumstances searingly described by Dr Atul Gawande in the recent Reith lectures.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of those who sought a doctor's help to end their lives were less concerned with pain than with a loss of dignity and a desire to control the circumstances of their death.

The Economist

What that conveniently ignores, of course, is the group's influential role over the years at the state and national level in blocking reasonable legislation that would restrict guns to hunters and target-shooters and control the circumstances under which they can be carried and used.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mr. Cuomo had controlled the circumstances of the debate — it was held in the same room where he accepted his party's endorsement in May, after all, and under conditions, atmospheric and otherwise, that he dictated.

The New York Times

Most of his characters work the same side of the mental street; they wage an obsessive, internal war with their limited circumstances, and often rant against the authority figures who seem to control those circumstances: the boss, the government officer at the job center, sometimes the wife, the police, the local and national politicians.

The New Yorker

While you can't control all the circumstances in your life, you can control how you react to them and what you do about it.

WikiHow

You have a lot less control over what others around you choose to do and even less control over the circumstances surrounding you.

WikiHow

That way you have complete control over the circumstances in which the data is revealed.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to achieve a specific outcome, consider how you can proactively "control the circumstances" to increase your chances of success. This might involve careful planning, resource allocation, and risk assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "control the circumstances" when you only have influence or partial control. Overstating your level of control can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "control the circumstances" functions as a verb phrase, where "control" is the verb and "the circumstances" is the direct object. This construction indicates the act of managing or influencing the conditions surrounding a situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "control the circumstances" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of managing or influencing the conditions of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, be mindful of overstating your actual level of control. Alternatives like "manage the conditions" or "influence the situation" may be more appropriate if your influence is partial rather than absolute. Remember, proactive planning and careful resource allocation are key to effectively "control the circumstances".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage the conditions

Focuses on managing specific conditions rather than a broader set of circumstances.

influence the situation

Emphasizes influencing, which might not imply complete control.

take charge of the events

Focuses on assuming responsibility and guiding the sequence of events.

steer the course of events

Emphasizes guidance and direction rather than complete control.

dictate the terms

Suggests a stronger level of control, almost to the point of imposing conditions.

govern the situation

Implies a formal and authoritative control.

shape the environment

Implies influencing the surrounding environment rather than directly controlling events.

orchestrate the proceedings

Suggests a careful and deliberate arrangement of events.

manipulate the factors

Suggests a more calculated and potentially negative way of influencing a situation.

regulate the variables

Focuses on regulating specific variables that influence an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "control the circumstances" in a sentence?

You can use "control the circumstances" to describe actions taken to manage or influence a situation, such as, "To ensure the experiment's success, researchers carefully controlled the circumstances."

What does it mean to "control the circumstances"?

To "control the circumstances" means to manage or influence the conditions and factors that affect a particular situation or event, often to achieve a desired outcome.

What can I say instead of "control the circumstances"?

You can use alternatives like "manage the conditions", "influence the situation", or "dictate the terms" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "control the circumstances"?

The phrase "control the circumstances" is appropriate when discussing situations where one has the ability to manage or influence the conditions and factors that affect a particular situation or event. However, it's important to avoid overstating one's level of control if influence is only partial.