exercise control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercise control" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to exert influence or authority over someone or something. Example: The manager had to exercise control over the chaotic meeting to ensure everyone stayed on topic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I like to exercise control.

The Guardian - Books

But they do not usually exercise control.

The Economist

All strong lobbies aspire to exercise control.

The New York Times

But we do exercise control over how we live.

The New York Times

The lack of effective rights allowing shareholders to exercise control.

Columbia University

"He was very much trying to exercise control".

The New York Times

It's difficult to exercise control of who gets tickets for which performance in the Free Fringe.

The Guardian

"It was impossible for him to exercise control over subordinates and contractors," Mr. O'Neill said.

The New York Times

"But you need to exercise control in order to get bad assets off the books.

The New York Times

They are how women exercise control over their lives and families.

The New York Times

Ever mindful of uncertainty, Koolhaas is perpetually trying to exercise control.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exercise control", consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate synonym if you want to avoid sounding repetitive. Alternatives like "exert influence" or "maintain authority" might be more fitting depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "exercise control" in situations where a more nuanced verb would be appropriate. For example, instead of saying "exercise control over emotions", consider "manage emotions" or "regulate feelings" for better precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise control" functions as a verb phrase where "exercise" is the verb indicating the action and "control" is the noun representing the object of that action. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct. The phrase signifies the act of implementing or exerting influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exercise control" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies exerting influence or authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is diverse, spanning news, academia, and formal business contexts. When writing, remember to consider the specific context and choose synonyms wisely to avoid repetition. While the phrase is versatile, be mindful of selecting more nuanced verbs for better precision in certain situations. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate contexts, you can effectively incorporate "exercise control" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert influence

Focuses on the act of affecting something without necessarily implying direct authority.

maintain authority

Emphasizes the preservation of existing power or control.

wield power

Implies a more forceful and direct application of control.

take command

Highlights the act of assuming control or leadership.

govern operations

Focuses on the management and control of specific processes or activities.

regulate conduct

Refers specifically to controlling behavior or actions.

dominate proceedings

Suggests a more forceful and perhaps overbearing level of control in a formal setting.

supervise affairs

Emphasizes oversight and management rather than direct control.

administer jurisdiction

Related to legal or governmental contexts, implying control through legal authority.

channel resources

Suggests controlling the distribution and flow of resources.

FAQs

How can I use "exercise control" in a sentence?

You can use "exercise control" to indicate the act of exerting influence or authority. For example, "The government needs to "exert control" over the financial sector" or "Shareholders can "implement control" by voting wisely.

What are some alternatives to "exercise control"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "exert influence", "maintain authority", or "wield power" instead of "exercise control".

Is it better to say "exercise control" or "have control"?

"Exercise control" implies an action of actively exerting influence, while "have control" suggests a state of possessing authority. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the state.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "exercise control"?

It is appropriate to use "exercise control" in situations where someone is actively exerting influence or authority over something, such as a manager over a team, a government over its citizens, or an individual over their own emotions. For example, "The manager must "apply control" to keep the project on schedule."