exercise sway over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercise sway over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of having influence or control over someone or something. Example: "The CEO was able to exercise sway over the board's decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The duke realised that for Zhou, a small state, to exercise sway over other feuding states, he could not rely on force of arms.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The United States and United Nations have been concerned that Iran has been trying to exercise sway in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

One genuine blow to the class system struck by the Blair government has been the abolition of the right of hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, and exercise some sway over the government.

The Economist

But it may also be the case that these former lobbyists are now in the position to exercise considerable sway over everything from policy outcomes to government contract decisions and anti-trust decisions.

Huffington Post

The Mohn family, which owns a large stake in Bertelsmann, exercises considerable sway over strategy.

The Economist

The competition regulator has evidence that Mediobanca has appointed decision-makers and exercises general sway over Generali's management.

The Economist

Since Mann's slander, 60 years of sober scholarship into 20th-century German culture, and into the life of Strauss, have thoroughly aired the great composer's self-inflated but profoundly un-Nazi attempts in 1933-34 to exercise a cultural sway over the new Nazi regime, apparently in the (retrospectively fatuous) assumption that after more than half a century of world fame he'd be listened to.

The Guardian

The current system allows great leeway to national regulators, who, operating in the role of "lead regulator," would exercise a strong sway over banking regulatory issues that affect an E.U.-wide bank considered to be within their jurisdiction.

Forbes

It's just more evidence that Israel's strict Orthodox minority exercises too much sway over the majority, Jewish and not.

The New York Times

And whereas 20 years ago lobby groups such as the Association of British Insurers exercised a lot of sway over management, the voting power of such groups has dwindled and that of foreign investors and hedge funds has risen.Attempts have been made to encourage shareholder activism, but this has been a mixed blessing.

The Economist

GUARD: "Exercise is over!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to convey influence or control in a formal setting, "exercise sway over" is an appropriate and effective choice.

Common error

While "exercise sway over" is suitable for formal contexts, avoid using it in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "influence" or "affect" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise sway over" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of exerting influence or control. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It suggests the capability to affect decisions, actions, or opinions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exercise sway over" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that means to exert influence or control. Ludwig AI indicates that it's appropriate for formal contexts, often appearing in news and media sources. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively conveys the ability to affect decisions or actions. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "influence" might be more fitting. Remember to consider your audience and the formality of the setting when deciding to use "exercise sway over". Related options such as "exert influence on" or "wield power over" may offer subtle variations in meaning or tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert influence on

Focuses on the act of influencing, differing slightly in structure and emphasis.

wield power over

Emphasizes the use of power or authority, suggesting a more direct form of control.

hold influence over

Highlights the possession of influence rather than the active exertion of it.

exert control over

Directly implies the act of controlling someone or something.

dominate

Signifies a more absolute form of control and influence.

have authority over

Implies a formal or legitimate right to control.

command influence

Highlights the ability to summon or direct influence.

have a grip on

Conveys a strong hold or control, often in a more informal context.

shape the direction of

Implies influencing the course or path of something.

call the shots

Suggests having the ultimate authority and making key decisions.

FAQs

What does "exercise sway over" mean?

The phrase "exercise sway over" means to exert influence or control over someone or something. It suggests the ability to affect decisions or actions.

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

You can use it like this: "The leader was able to exercise sway over the members' decisions."

What are some alternatives to "exercise sway over"?

You can use alternatives like "exert influence on", "wield power over", or "hold influence over" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "exercise influence over" or "exercise sway over"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Exercise sway over" might sound slightly more formal or literary than "exercise influence over".