de facto control

USAGE SUMMARY

"de facto control" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something has control in practice, even if not officially recognized. An example: "The organization maintained de facto control over the region despite the lack of formal authority." Alternative expressions include "actual control" and "effective control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This has placed de facto control in the hands of the chief executive officer.

The New York Times

Analysts say Pakistan's powerful military already has de facto control of security.

The Guardian

Sakhalin is now claimed by both Russia and Japan, though Russia retains de facto control.

The New York Times

In 2006 Hamas won Palestinian elections, taking de facto control of Gaza the following year.

The Guardian

It claims and has de facto control over most of the disputed Western Sahara territory.

The New York Times

At CBS, the question is whether there has been a change in "de facto" control.

The New York Times

"Our board absolutely concluded that they do not have de facto control.

The New York Times

In some areas, especially in northern Mexico, they acquired de facto control.

The Economist

Chechen fighters won de facto control of the region in a war with Russia in 1994-96.

The New York Times

De facto control means a transfer in control without ownership of a majority of a company's stock.

The New York Times

The latter were willing enough to strike a deal, but their proposal would give them de facto control.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "de facto control" to accurately describe situations where control is exercised in reality, even if not legally or officially recognized. It adds precision when formal authority is absent or unclear.

Common error

Avoid using "de facto control" when referring to legally recognized or official control. "De facto" specifically implies that the control exists in practice, regardless of legal status.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "de facto control" functions as a noun phrase, where "de facto" modifies the noun "control". It describes a state of control that exists in reality, regardless of legal or official status. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "de facto control" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe control that exists in reality, regardless of legal or official status. Ludwig's analysis indicates its frequent use in News & Media, Encyclopedia, and Science contexts. Related phrases include "actual control" and "effective control". While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to differentiate it from "de jure control", which refers to legal control. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's proper usage, offering diverse examples and insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actual control

Replaces "de facto" with "actual", emphasizing genuine control in practice.

effective control

Focuses on the effectiveness of the control being exercised.

practical control

Highlights the pragmatic nature of the control.

real control

Emphasizes the genuineness of the control.

unofficial control

Highlights that the control is not officially sanctioned.

informal control

Suggests the control is exercised without formal structures.

operational control

Highlights the practical application of control over operations.

day-to-day control

Focuses on the routine exercise of control.

defacto authority

Shifts focus to authority instead of control, implying accepted power.

substantial control

Indicates a significant level of control, though perhaps not complete.

FAQs

What does "de facto control" mean?

"De facto control" refers to a situation where someone or something has control in practice, even if that control is not officially or legally recognized.

How do I use "de facto control" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where power or influence is exerted in reality. For example, "The rebel group established "actual control" /s/actual+control over the region".

What's the difference between "de facto control" and "de jure control"?

"De facto control" is control in practice, while "de jure control" is control according to the law. A government might have de jure control over a territory, but a rebel group might have "effective control" on the ground.

What are some alternatives to "de facto control"?

You can use alternatives like "actual control", "effective control", or "practical control" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.