exercising control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercising control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is actively managing or directing a situation, organization, or group of people. Example: "The manager is responsible for exercising control over the team's workflow to ensure deadlines are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Republican-controlled legislatures across the US are hell-bent on stopping women from exercising control over their own bodies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kids are exercising control over media".

The New York Times - Tech

Not that he wants to be seen as exercising control.

The New York Times

Seeking to control others is one way of exercising control.

University of California, Berkeley

First, an author "superintend[s]" the work by exercising control.

Harvard University

Otherwise, all you are doing is monitoring, not exercising control.

Harvard Business Review

I'll give you an example of how exercising control does not always lead to success.

The Guardian

The Iraqi government still appears to be exercising control within the capital.

The New York Times

He doesn't need to because the ruling communist party has ways of exercising control over journalists.

The Guardian

He became absorbed beyond mere happiness as he felt himself exercising control over living things".

The Guardian - Books

The government has been exercising control over communications, shutting off both Internet and phone services.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a hierarchical structure, use "exercising control" to clearly indicate who is responsible for making decisions and ensuring compliance. For instance, 'The board of directors is responsible for "exercising control" over the company's financial activities'.

Common error

Avoid using "exercising control" to describe intrusive or overly detailed management, which can be perceived negatively. Instead, use it to refer to strategic oversight and ensuring accountability. For example, instead of saying 'The manager is "exercising control" over every detail of the project', consider 'The manager is providing guidance and support to ensure the project stays on track'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercising control" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use in describing the action of managing or directing something. For instance, it can be used as the subject of a sentence or as part of a prepositional phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

25%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exercising control" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes the act of actively managing, directing, or regulating something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable, appearing across diverse contexts such as news, academia, and science. When writing, ensure you use "exercising control" to refer to strategic oversight rather than intrusive micro-management. Alternatives such as "exerting influence" or "maintaining authority" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. By following the guidance provided, you can effectively use "exercising control" in your writing to communicate clear and impactful messages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exerting influence

Focuses on the impact made rather than the direct act of controlling.

maintaining authority

Highlights the aspect of possessing and upholding power.

administering governance

Emphasizes the structured and official management of a system.

handling operations

Centers on the practical management and execution of tasks.

overseeing management

Highlights the supervisory role in guiding and directing activities.

directing affairs

Focuses on guiding and steering events or matters.

steering leadership

Emphasizes guidance and direction in a leadership capacity.

commanding dominion

Implies absolute control and authority over something.

wielding power

Focuses on the application and effect of authority.

supervising functions

Highlights the oversight and management of specific tasks or roles.

FAQs

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

You can use "exercising control" to describe the act of managing, directing, or regulating something. For instance, "The government is exercising control over the country's borders." or "The project manager is responsible for exercising control over the budget".

What are some alternatives to "exercising control"?

Alternatives include "exerting influence", "maintaining authority", or "administering governance", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "exercising control" or "having control"?

"Exercising control" implies an active process of managing or directing something, while "having control" suggests a state of possession or authority. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the state. For example, you can say "The CEO is exercising control over the company's strategic direction" to focus on the action, or "The CEO has control over the company's strategic direction" to refer to the overall state of their powers.

What's the difference between "exercising control" and "asserting control"?

"Exercising control" generally refers to the act of using existing authority or power to manage something, while "asserting control" implies a more forceful or decisive act of establishing authority or dominance. "The manager is exercising control over the project budget" suggest ongoing oversight, while "The manager needed to assert control when the team started to miss deadlines" means that action was needed to regain the upper hand on the task.