dominate over

USAGE SUMMARY

"dominate over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone or something has control or influence over another. For example: "The senior lecturer was able to dominate over the discussion in the lecture hall."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He still has problems with "cross talk," where certain nerves dominate over others.

The New York Times

This indicates that alkali (Na++K+) and strong acids (Cl−+SO42−) dominate over alkaline earth (Ca2++Mg2+) and weak acids.

Applied Water Science

In contrast to figure 7, new red arrows (false positive connections) dominate over lost yellow arrows (false negative connections).

Plosone

Alternatively, paralogy may dominate over even longer time periods, but any residual similarity among ancient, highly divergent proteins has fallen below detection levels.

Biology Letters

In growing cells, anabolic processes dominate over catabolic ones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's important as a coalition that we're not letting one narrative dominate over another".

The New York Times

The mirror mode can dominate over the individual ion cyclotron modes in a multi-species plasma.

Advances in Space Research

These two effects dominate over the stabilizing contribution of the plastic strain gradients.

Acta Materialia

Rather than surface tension forces, transport processes can dominate over relevant ranges of conditions.

Combustion and Flame

In general, the invasive grasses possessed fitness advantages that allowed them to dominate over native grasses in the ecosystem.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Consider in Germany, Netflix isn't the dominate over-the-top platform, and for one simple reason, Amazon has better content.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dominate over" when you want to emphasize the control or influence one entity has over another. Ensure the context clearly indicates a power dynamic or significant advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "dominate over" when a more nuanced term like "influence" or "affect" would be more appropriate. "Dominate" suggests a forceful control, which may not always be the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dominate over" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that one entity exerts control or influence over another. Ludwig's examples show how it's used to describe power dynamics in various scenarios, from nerve function to ecological systems.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

24%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dominate over" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe situations where one entity exerts control or influence over another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable and correct in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including science, news, and academia, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. While synonyms like "prevail over" or "hold sway over" exist, "dominate over" specifically emphasizes the power dynamic at play. When writing, ensure the context supports the forceful implication of "dominate over", avoiding its use when a more subtle term is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevail over

This alternative suggests a victory or triumph, implying a successful exertion of influence or control.

hold sway over

This phrase suggests influence or control in a more subtle or pervasive manner.

reign supreme over

This alternative implies the highest level of dominance, suggesting unchallenged authority or power.

exercise control over

This phrase directly indicates the act of exerting control, emphasizing the active application of power.

exert influence over

This suggests a more subtle form of dominance, where influence rather than direct control is the key factor.

have mastery over

This alternative indicates a high level of skill or expertise that leads to dominance in a particular area.

be in charge of

This is a more straightforward expression of authority, simply indicating responsibility and control.

take precedence over

This suggests a prior right or importance, causing one thing to be favored or prioritized over another.

outweigh

This implies that something is more important or has a greater effect than something else.

overshadow

This suggests that something is more prominent and noticeable, diminishing the importance of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "dominate over" in a sentence?

You can use "dominate over" to show that one entity has control or influence over another. For example, "Invasive species often "dominate over" native species in an ecosystem".

What phrases are similar to "dominate over"?

Similar phrases include "prevail over", "hold sway over", or "reign supreme over", each implying different aspects of control or influence.

Is "dominate over" more formal than other alternatives?

While not excessively formal, "dominate over" suggests a clear power dynamic and is suitable for academic, news, and professional contexts. Less formal alternatives might include "control" or "influence".

When is it inappropriate to use "dominate over"?

Avoid using "dominate over" if the context involves a more subtle or cooperative interaction. Words like "collaborate with" or "assist" would be more appropriate in those situations.