controlling interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "controlling interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial and business contexts to refer to ownership of enough shares in a company to influence its decisions and operations. Example: "Acquiring a controlling interest in the company allowed them to implement significant changes to its management structure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Owns controlling interest in bank.

The New Yorker

Mr. Wissman bought a controlling interest in IMG in 2003.

The New York Times - Arts

In addition, it owns a controlling interest in eLong, a Chinese online travel company.

The New York Times

In the spring, a British investment firm, Malvern Maritime, bought a controlling interest in Renaissance.

The New York Times

His family bought Reynolds & Reynolds in 1939 and maintained controlling interest in the company until 1992.

The New York Times

The Koc family owns a controlling interest in Migros, the country's largest retailer.

The New York Times

"That's the last piece that ensures that Larry has a controlling interest in what gets built".

The New York Times

The group also received an option from IDT that could eventually give it a controlling interest.

The New York Times

Viacom's chairman, Sumner M. Redstone, has a controlling interest in Midway.

The New York Times

Hicks said in May that he would be willing to sell controlling interest in the Rangers.

The New York Times

One died, one left, and the other was Bosch, charged with representing Lopera's controlling interest.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business acquisitions or investments, use "controlling interest" to clearly indicate who has the power to make key decisions within the organization.

Common error

Don't assume that any investment automatically grants control. A "controlling interest" signifies enough shares to influence decisions, whereas a minority stake does not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "controlling interest" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It denotes the ownership stake that provides decision-making power within an organization. Ludwig provides examples where it shows up as something that can be bought, sold, or maintained.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

30%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "controlling interest" is a noun phrase used to describe the ownership of enough shares in a company to control its management and operations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently used in business and financial contexts. While alternative phrases like "majority stake" or "dominant shareholding" exist, "controlling interest" specifically denotes the level of ownership that yields decision-making power. The usage is widespread across authoritative sources like The New York Times and Forbes, reflecting its importance in financial discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

majority stake

Refers to owning more than 50% of a company's shares, ensuring control.

controlling share

Implies possessing enough shares to influence the company's decisions.

dominant shareholding

Highlights the significant portion of shares owned, leading to influence.

major equity position

Emphasizes the substantial ownership stake in terms of equity.

key stake

Suggests that the ownership portion is important and influential.

substantial ownership

Indicates a considerable degree of ownership, implying influence.

preponderant interest

Suggests a greater or more significant interest compared to others.

principal share

Focuses on the main or most important portion of shares owned.

lead ownership

Highlights the role of being the primary owner.

power of attorney

Indicates the authority to act on someone else's behalf, though not necessarily ownership.

FAQs

How is a "controlling interest" typically acquired in a company?

A "controlling interest" is usually acquired by purchasing a majority stake of the company's shares, either through direct negotiation with existing shareholders or through a tender offer to all shareholders.

What are some synonyms for "controlling interest"?

Synonyms for "controlling interest" include "majority stake", "dominant shareholding", and "principal share". Each of these terms implies the ability to influence company decisions.

What's the difference between "controlling interest" and "minority stake"?

A "controlling interest" gives the holder the power to make key decisions in a company, while a minority stake provides limited influence. Minority shareholders may have voting rights, but their influence is generally less significant than that of the majority shareholder.

How does owning a "controlling interest" affect a company?

Owning a "controlling interest" allows the shareholder to appoint board members, influence strategic direction, and ultimately manage the company's operations. It provides significant decision-making power.