exercised control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercised control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of having authority or influence over something or someone. Example: "The manager exercised control over the project to ensure it stayed on schedule and within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Male ZDF (obese fa/fa) and control Zucker (lean fa/+) rats were assigned to 4 groups: sedentary control (SC), sedentary diabetic (SD), exercised control (EC) and exercised diabetic (ED).

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Four groups of rats were used: sedentary control (SC, n = 12), sedentary diabetic (SD, n = 10), exercised control (EC, n = 10) and exercised diabetic (ED, n = 12).

Cardiovascular Diabetology

During the Weimar era, individual German states exercised control over the police forces within their borders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These are the relics of France's long-departed grand families, who once exercised control throughout the country.

The Guardian - Travel

The Koreans have yet to demonstrate that they exercised control over the islands before the Japanese occupation.

The Guardian

He exercised control over Essex, London, Surrey, and the West Saxon lands, or Wessex, north of the Thames.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It is is questioning how the department "exercised controls over the grant".

The Guardian

I like to exercise control.

The Guardian - Books

Kids are exercising control over media".

The New York Times - Tech

All strong lobbies aspire to exercise control.

The New York Times

BBC Worldwide can effectively exercise control over who buys the stake.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exercised control" when you want to emphasize the active and intentional application of authority or influence.

Common error

Don't use "exercised control" when you simply mean someone was in a position of authority but did not actively use it. Use "held authority" or "had oversight" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercised control" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of actively using authority or power. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it commonly appears in contexts discussing governance, management, and influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exercised control" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources. It denotes the active application of authority or power. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects active intervention rather than passive oversight, and consider alternatives like "exerted authority" or "held sway" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exerted authority

Focuses more on the power aspect than the management aspect of control.

held sway

Implies a more dominant and persuasive influence.

maintained command

Emphasizes the act of keeping a firm grip on authority.

wielded power

Focuses on the active use of power to influence events.

assumed responsibility

Highlights the taking on of duties related to overseeing something.

took charge

Emphasizes the initiation of control or management.

oversaw operations

Suggests a broader management role rather than direct control.

governed effectively

Highlights the effectiveness of control in achieving desired outcomes.

dominated proceedings

Implies a very strong and often overbearing level of control.

regulated affairs

Focuses on the formal and structured aspect of maintaining control.

FAQs

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

You can use "exercised control" to describe someone or something actively using their power or authority. For example, "The government "exercised control" over the economy through regulations".

What are some alternatives to "exercised control"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "exerted authority", "held sway", or "maintained command".

Is it correct to say "exercised a control"?

While not grammatically incorrect, it's more common and natural to say "exercised control" without the article "a". Using "a control" implies a single instance or type of control, which is often not the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "exercised control" and "had control"?

"Exercised control" implies active use of authority, while "had control" simply suggests possession of it. One can "have control" without necessarily "exercising control".