exert control

USAGE SUMMARY

"exert control" is an acceptable and correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that somebody has the power or ability to influence a situation or to change the behavior of another person. For example, "The government is trying to exert control over its citizens by introducing new regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Either you exert control, or we'll exert control.

The New York Times

No budget - how do you exert control?

The Guardian - Money

Runaway: she does not have to exert control.

The Guardian - Film

Where it cannot exert control, the Shabab excuses banditry.

The Economist

People just have too many lights, and they want to exert control from wherever they are.

The New York Times - Magazine

The presidents would exert control over semi-independent campuses in Newark, New Brunswick and Camden.

The New York Times

They don't feel the same loyalties or freedom to exert control.

The New York Times

The question becomes: How do we exert control of the genie?

The New York Times

Parents attempt to exert control over almost every other aspect of their kids' lives as well.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is changing rapidly, of course, as corporations and governments seek to exert control over it.

The Guardian - Tech

In 2015, the housing market will finally begin to exert control over the government.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Exert control" can imply a deliberate effort to manage or influence a situation. Choose alternatives if you want to emphasize authority, influence, or dominance.

Common error

Avoid using "exert control" in excessively passive sentences. Instead of "Control was exerted by the manager", opt for "The manager exerted control" for a stronger and more direct impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exert control" functions as a verb phrase where "exert" is a transitive verb taking "control" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exert control" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the act of applying power or influence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is commonly found in a variety of contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. While generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of the potential connotations of dominance or forcefulness implied by the phrase. When writing, also consider that it's more impactful in active voice. For situations where a synonym may work better, consider "exercise authority", "wield influence", or "take charge".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercise authority

This alternative focuses on the formal power or right to control.

wield influence

This suggests a more subtle or indirect form of control.

govern

This refers to controlling through rules and regulations.

maintain command

This suggests preserving existing control over a situation.

regulate

This means to control something, especially business activity, by means of rules and laws.

take charge

This implies assuming control proactively.

impose dominance

This alternative implies a forceful and often unwelcome control.

call the shots

This idiom means to be in the position of being able to make the decisions that influence a situation.

dominate

This implies a strong and potentially oppressive level of control.

establish supremacy

This indicates gaining a superior position of control.

FAQs

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

You can use "exert control" to indicate the application of power or influence to manage a situation or direct someone's behavior. For example: "The government is trying to "exert control" over the economy through new regulations."

What's the difference between "exercise control" and "exert control"?

"Exercise control" often refers to the general act of having and using control, while ""exert control"" implies a specific instance or effort to apply that control.

What can I say instead of "exert control"?

You can use alternatives like "exercise authority", "wield influence", or "take charge" depending on the context.

Is "exert control" formal or informal?

"Exert control" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic writing, but can also appear in informal contexts.