hand over control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'hand over control' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a variety of situations when you want to express that someone is transferring authority or responsibility to someone else. For example: "Once the new managers have been trained, the old team will hand over control to them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rice will hand over control in January.

The Guardian - Business

We hand over control of these ramps to the MLOO.

Nature

When should negotiators hand over control to bankers, lawyers, agents, and other third parties?

Harvard University

BNDES is insisting that AES must pay the debt or hand over control of Eletropaulo.

The New York Times

Why did Ephra hand over control of the business to Nessa?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In other words, at some point, we want to hand over control.

The Washington Post

Foreign mining companies will have four years to hand over control to Brazilian residents.

The New York Times

In 1963 the Dutch agreed to hand over control of their colony to Indonesia.

The Economist

Mr Murdoch wants to hand over control of the firm to his sons, Lachlan and James.

The Economist

Meanwhile, efforts to hand over control of the government to the Iraqis continued.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In his speech he says it is time to hand over control of the country to the Iraqis, who must make political concessions first.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about organizational changes, use "hand over control" to clearly indicate a shift in leadership or responsibility. For instance, "The retiring CEO will hand over control to the new executive team next month."

Common error

Ensure clarity by explicitly stating to whom the control is being handed over. Avoid vague sentences like "Control will be handed over soon", instead specify, "The project manager will hand over control to the client upon completion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hand over control" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of transferring authority or responsibility. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely used and accepted in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hand over control" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies the transfer of authority or responsibility from one entity to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in academic and formal business settings. When using "hand over control", it's essential to specify to whom the control is being transferred to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "relinquish control" or "transfer authority" can be used depending on the desired level of formality or specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relinquish control

This alternative emphasizes the act of giving up control, often implying a sense of loss or sacrifice.

transfer authority

This phrase focuses on the formal passing of power or authorization.

cede power

Implies a more formal or political context of giving up power.

pass the baton

This is an idiomatic expression suggesting a smooth transition, often in a leadership context.

turn over management

Specifically refers to the transfer of managerial responsibilities.

devolve responsibility

Focuses on delegating responsibility, often within an organization.

assign control

Highlights the act of designating control to another party.

give up command

Implies a military or hierarchical context of relinquishing authority.

consign authority

This suggests a more formal or legal transfer of authority.

grant control

Focuses on the act of bestowing control upon someone.

FAQs

What does "hand over control" mean?

The phrase "hand over control" means to transfer authority, responsibility, or management from one person or entity to another. It indicates a shift in power or oversight.

What can I say instead of "hand over control"?

You can use alternatives like "relinquish control", "transfer authority", or "cede power" depending on the context.

Is "hand over control" formal or informal?

The phrase "hand over control" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives like "cede power" might be more appropriate for highly formal situations.

How is "hand over control" different from "delegate responsibility"?

"Hand over control" implies a complete transfer of authority, while "delegate responsibility" means assigning specific tasks or duties while retaining overall control. So "delegate responsibility" is not always a full change of command.