exercise leverage over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercise leverage over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one party is using their influence or power to affect the actions or decisions of another party. Example: "The company was able to exercise leverage over its suppliers to negotiate better pricing terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But none of the three offered many concrete examples of how the administration could exercise leverage over the Pakistani military or government.

The New York Times

The Facebook press office has never responded to my queries about the campaign to remove Kadyrov from its platforms, missing an opportunity to point out that the social networks can not only be weaponized by Russian dictators big and small but can also exercise leverage over them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Through a gift for cryptography, a unique grasp of the Internet, and a like-minded global-support system, Assange has accumulated restricted and confidential data and exercises leverage over its dissemination.

The New Yorker

As long as he's alive and lucid, he'll exercise leverage in the strategic direction of Cuba".

The New York Times

Yet there was no immediate indication that Western powers could exercise much leverage over Russia if it chose to ignore their warnings.

The New York Times

And if Putin decides he does not want to exercise his leverage over Assad, the optimism that greeted the start of the talks last week will quickly fade.

The Guardian

Attaching human rights conditions to military assistance is insufficient to exercise much leverage over Egypt's human rights practices.

Huffington Post

Something similar will be required if the struggle against plutocracy is to exercise maximum leverage over political figures.

Huffington Post

Gazprom, the Russian export monopoly, supplies about a quarter of Europe's natural gas and exercises significant leverage over importers.

The New York Times

The case highlights one of the most pressing issues in Europe: how to create a competitive market for the fuel when Russia supplies about a quarter of Europe's needs and exercises significant leverage over importers.

The New York Times

He and other preservationists still entertain hope of exercising leverage if the archdiocese's housing project applies for federal financing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exercise leverage over", ensure the context clearly indicates the source and target of the influence. Be specific about how the leverage is being applied to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overstating the impact of "exercise leverage over". It implies influence, not necessarily complete control or guaranteed outcomes. Be realistic about the degree of impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise leverage over" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of exerting influence or control. It specifies how one entity uses their power to affect another as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exercise leverage over" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of using influence or power to affect another party. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears predominantly in news and media contexts, suggesting its suitability for describing strategic influence in professional settings. Alternative phrases, like "exert influence on", provide similar meanings but may carry different connotations depending on the specific context. When using this phrase, ensure the source and target of the influence are clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert influence on

Focuses on the act of influencing, without necessarily implying control.

wield power over

Emphasizes the use of authority or control in a more direct way.

exert control over

Highlights the act of directing or dominating something.

bring pressure to bear on

Suggests applying force or influence to achieve a specific outcome.

have sway over

Indicates a persuasive influence rather than direct control.

hold influence over

Implies possessing the ability to affect someone or something.

have control over

Focuses on having the ability to manage or direct.

manipulate

Suggests influencing someone deviously.

dominate

Connotes more severe control or authority over another.

exploit

Suggests using someone selfishly for one's own advantage.

FAQs

What does "exercise leverage over" mean?

The phrase "exercise leverage over" means to use influence or power to affect someone or something. It implies having an advantage that can be used to achieve a desired outcome.

How can I use "exercise leverage over" in a sentence?

You can use "exercise leverage over" to describe how one entity influences another, for example: "The company was able to "exert influence on" its suppliers by threatening to switch to a competitor".

What are some alternatives to "exercise leverage over"?

Some alternatives to "exercise leverage over" include "exert influence on", "wield power over", or "exert control over", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "exercise influence over" or "exercise leverage over"?

"Exercise influence over" and "exercise leverage over" are similar, but "exercise leverage over" often implies a more strategic or calculated use of influence, suggesting a specific advantage is being utilized. The best choice depends on the specific context.