exercise dominance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercise dominance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing power dynamics, control, or authority in various situations, such as competitive environments or social interactions. Example: "In the animal kingdom, certain species will often exercise dominance to establish their territory and ensure their survival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And, above all, China, which views itself as having been historically kicked around and bullied by other Great Powers, must strive not to succumb to the very understandable temptation – especially as it grows stronger — to put the shoe on the other foot and exercise dominance over lesser powers.

The New York Times

Put another way, we generally teach girls subservient habits and boys to exercise dominance.

Huffington Post

This led to the theory that owners must exercise dominance over their pets in order to elicit acceptable behavior.

Huffington Post

Reprimanding and silencing young girls in school disempowers them, creating a standard of subservience, while boys are allowed to exercise dominance.

Huffington Post

Coenwulf was the last of a series of Mercian kings, beginning with Penda in the early 7th century, to exercise dominance over most or all of southern England.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Google has denied those allegations, and on Tuesday it disputed the notion that it exercised dominance, saying the authority should have taken a broader look at the online advertising business.

The New York Times

Meanwhile VW workers' representatives are suing Porsche in Stuttgart for exercising dominance over VW by offering Porsche's much smaller workforce 12,000 compared with VW's 330,000 equal say on the holding company's supervisory board.

The Economist

According to Bede, Rædwald was recognised as exercising dominance or imperium over the southern Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, a position that was assured when he gave his loyalty and support to Edwin of Northumbria (who was at that time a fugitive at the East Anglian court) and when together they defeated Æthelfrith of Northumbria on the banks of the River Idle, a tributary of the Trent.

Wikipedia

They want to maintain dominance and exercise control over their female partners, among others.

The New York Times

He said he believed that the companies were "seeking to use their copyright not just to obtain fair compensation but in effect to exercise complete dominance and total control of the copyrighted work".

The New York Times

For all these reasons, LC-MS techniques have begun to exercise their dominance in the OA research field.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exercise dominance" when you want to convey the active application of power or control, particularly in situations where such influence is being asserted or maintained.

Common error

Avoid using "exercise dominance" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "take charge" or "be in control" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise dominance" functions as a verb phrase where "exercise" acts as the verb, indicating the action of applying or wielding, and "dominance" serves as the noun, representing the power or control being exerted. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exercise dominance" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the active exertion of power or control. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the phrase is relatively rare, appearing most frequently in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and wiki contexts. When writing, consider the formality of your text and choose simpler alternatives like "assert control" for informal situations. Be aware that the usage is limited but legitimate. Source quality is generally high, indicating reliability of examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assert control

Focuses on the act of taking control, rather than the sustained influence implied by "dominance".

exert authority

Emphasizes the use of formal power or legal right, differing from the broader concept of "dominance".

wield power

Highlights the ability to influence events or people, a component of "dominance" but not its entirety.

establish supremacy

Indicates achieving a position of ultimate power, stronger than simply "exercising dominance".

maintain control

Suggests preserving existing power, whereas "exercise dominance" can also imply establishing it.

dominate proceedings

This phrase indicates that someone is in control of a process and is leading it. This is different because it is related only to processes and not other circumstances.

hold sway

This phrase means to hold power over something, this is subtly different because sway implies a more emotional power

have mastery

Suggests skill in controlling something, is different because is focused in competence.

rule supreme

Suggests an ultimate power situation. It is a stronger form of dominance.

command influence

To command influence is a type of dominance. It is different because it implies that people are ordered to be influenced, which is not the case in simple dominance.

FAQs

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

You can use "exercise dominance" to describe a person, group, or entity that actively exerts control or power in a given situation. For example, "The CEO needed to exercise dominance to steer the company through the crisis".

What are some alternatives to "exercise dominance"?

Alternatives include "assert control", "exert authority", or "wield power", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "exercise dominance" or "exert dominance"?

Both "exercise dominance" and "exert dominance" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations. "Exercise" may imply a more sustained or strategic application of power.

What is the difference between "exercise dominance" and simply "be dominant"?

"Exercise dominance" implies an active and intentional use of power, whereas "be dominant" describes a state or inherent characteristic. For instance, a company might "be dominant" in its industry but still need to "exercise dominance" in specific negotiations.