feel in control

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel in control" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to describe feeling confident, having a sense of direction, and/or feeling powerful in a given situation. Example sentence: With the help of her mentor, she was finally beginning to feel in control of her career.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Using sex to feel "in control" is common with sex addicts, especially with female sex addicts.

Huffington Post

Patients described efforts to avoid lows (e.g., identifying poor food choices) to feel "in control".

Diabetes Care

I feel in control when I do this.

The New York Times

When open, you should feel in control and have good feeling of dignity in yourself.

WikiHow

"It makes me feel in control.

The New York Times

Tiny changes can help you feel in control.

University of California, Berkeley

Probably "sometimes I ignore you, so I feel in control".

The Guardian - Music

In other words, people want to feel in control.

The New Yorker

"Right now, I feel in control," Tesfaye answers, frankly.

The Guardian - Music

I suppose you feel in control of the world.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I didn't feel in control of my own decisions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel in control" when you want to convey a sense of confidence, agency, and the ability to influence or manage a situation effectively.

Common error

While "feel in control" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "feel empowered" or "have a sense of agency" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel in control" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a subjective state of confidence and agency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase to express that one experiences a sense of power and direction. The numerous examples illustrate its common usage in describing personal feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel in control" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression indicating a subjective state of confidence, agency, and the ability to influence situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse and consider synonyms such as "feel empowered" or "have a sense of agency" to maintain writing clarity. When aiming for formality, alternatives like "exercise agency" or "maintain command" may be more appropriate. This phrase effectively communicates a sense of competence and security, making it a valuable addition to one's linguistic repertoire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel in charge

A more direct synonym, focusing on the feeling of responsibility and authority.

have a sense of agency

Shifts the focus from feeling to possessing the ability to influence events.

feel empowered

Focuses on the feeling of having the strength and authority to act.

experience a sense of command

Emphasizes the feeling of being in charge and directing activities.

feel like you're calling the shots

Suggests the feeling of making important decisions and directing outcomes.

feel a sense of mastery

Highlights the feeling of competence and skill in a specific area.

have a grip on things

Suggests a firm understanding and management of a situation.

hold the reins

Highlights the ability to direct and restrain, suggesting strong control.

be at the helm

Implies being in a leadership position and guiding events.

feel secure

Emphasizes the feeling of safety and confidence that comes from being in control.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel in control" to describe a state of confidence and agency. For example: "After mastering the new software, she began to "feel in control" of her work."

What's the difference between "feel in control" and "be in control"?

"Feel in control" describes an internal state of confidence and agency, while "be in control" implies actual authority or management over a situation.

What can I say instead of "feel in control" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "exercise agency", "maintain command", or "possess a sense of mastery" to convey a similar meaning with greater sophistication.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel in control of something"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. You can specify what you "feel in control" of. For example: "He wanted to "feel in control" of his finances."