growing out of control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing out of control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or phenomenon that is escalating or becoming unmanageable. Example: "The weeds in the garden are growing out of control, making it difficult to see the flowers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Weeds were growing out of control.

The New York Times

By that standard, the budget is "not really growing out of control," she said.

The New York Times

And, he said, his father had also eventually concluded that government was "growing out of control".

The New York Times

"The police state in this country is growing out of control.

The New York Times

And the recent drop in the stock market has also helped keep the economy from growing out of control.

The New York Times

Negotiations continue, governors said, because they see Medicaid costs as growing out of control and they desperately want more authority to manage the program.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The addition of seawater might cause algae to grow out of control, choking out microorganisms better suited to a saltier environment, or turning the water red.

Science Magazine

On the other hand, snacking can easily grow out of control and be a source of hundreds of excess calories.

Huffington Post

"The fine system has grown out of control," he said.

The New York Times

He attacked Congressional Democrats, saying they had allowed spending to grow out of control.

The New York Times

When expenses grew out of control, he blamed poor Schindler, even comparing him to a sewer.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "growing out of control", ensure the context clearly indicates what is losing control. Be specific about the subject to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the weeds" or "the project costs".

Common error

While "growing out of control" is acceptable in many contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "becoming unmanageable" or "escalating rapidly" in professional or academic writing to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing out of control" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used as a predicate adjective following a linking verb (e.g., "is", "are", "seems"). Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "growing out of control" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations or entities escalating beyond manageable limits. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalent use in news, media and scientific contexts. While versatile, writers should consider formal alternatives such as "becoming unmanageable" in professional writing to maintain a polished tone. Key to its effective use is ensuring clarity about what is specifically losing control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spiraling out of control

Implies a rapid and accelerating loss of control, often with negative consequences. More intense than the original phrase.

getting out of hand

A more informal way of saying something is becoming difficult to manage. Slightly less formal.

becoming unmanageable

Directly states that something can no longer be managed or controlled. More literal.

escalating rapidly

Focuses on the speed and intensity of the increase in something, often a problem or conflict.

running rampant

Suggests unrestrained and widespread growth or spread. Emphasizes the lack of restraint.

becoming chaotic

Implies a state of complete disorder and confusion. Focuses on the disorganization.

exceeding all bounds

Indicates that something has surpassed acceptable limits. More formal.

surging uncontrollably

Emphasizes the powerful and unstoppable nature of the growth. More forceful.

amplifying exponentially

Suggests a dramatic and rapid increase in scale or impact. More technical.

spreading like wildfire

Emphasizes the speed and difficulty in containing something. Uses a simile for impact.

FAQs

How can I use "growing out of control" in a sentence?

Use "growing out of control" to describe something escalating or becoming unmanageable, such as "The weeds in my garden are growing out of control" or "Healthcare costs are growing out of control".

What can I say instead of "growing out of control"?

You can use alternatives like "spiraling out of control", "getting out of hand", or "becoming unmanageable", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "growing out of control" and "spiraling out of control"?

"Growing out of control" generally indicates something becoming unmanageable, while "spiraling out of control" implies a more rapid and chaotic escalation.

Is it appropriate to use "growing out of control" in formal writing?

While acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "escalating rapidly" or "becoming unmanageable" in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.