has control over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has control over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate authority, influence, or power over someone or something. Example: "The manager has control over the project's budget and timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"She has control over her life".

The New York Times

SAWARD: No, he has control over that.

The New York Times

Who has control over these records?

The Guardian - Opinion

"The funny part is it has control over you.

The New York Times

He told me, "Hernández has control over the Electoral Tribunal.

The New Yorker

As an academy it has control over its own budget.

The Times

Specifically, who has control over your professional future?

Harvard Business Review

The government essentially has control over all broadcast media.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has control over all of modern Greece and has held onto some possessions in Italy.

Yale University

For the first time in her life, she has control over a social situation.

The Guardian

Boparan already has control over 34.4% of Northern's shares in issue.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about shared responsibilities, clarify who "has control over" specific aspects to avoid ambiguity. For example, "While the marketing team develops campaigns, the sales team has control over their execution."

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone "has control over" every aspect of a situation. Be precise about the specific areas or decisions they influence. For example, instead of saying "The CEO has control over the entire company", specify "The CEO has control over strategic decisions and financial planning."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has control over" functions as a verb phrase indicating authority, influence, or power regarding someone or something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a common way to express dominion or management.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has control over" is a versatile and common verb phrase used to indicate authority, influence, or power. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedias. While maintaining a neutral tone, it effectively conveys the idea of being in charge and directing resources or actions. Consider alternatives like "exercises authority over" or "manages" to add nuance, and always clarify the scope of control to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercises authority over

Emphasizes the act of using power or control.

wields power over

Highlights the ability to exert influence and authority.

is in charge of

Focuses on responsibility and management of a particular area or task.

manages

Implies directing and overseeing something.

governs

Indicates ruling or directing a group or entity.

supervises

Highlights overseeing and directing activities or personnel.

dictates

Suggests absolute control and commands.

dominates

Implies a strong and often overbearing level of control.

holds sway over

Indicates influence and persuasive power.

is at the helm of

Focuses on leading and directing from a position of authority.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "She has control over the budget"?

You can use phrases like "She "manages the budget"", "She "is in charge of the budget"", or "She "administers the budget"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "has control over" and "is responsible for"?

"Has control over" implies the power to direct and make decisions, while "is responsible for" suggests accountability for outcomes. For example, the manager "has control over" the project's resources, but the team is "responsible for" its completion.

Is it correct to say "have control over" instead of "has control over"?

Yes, use "have control over" with plural subjects or the pronoun "I", "you", "we", or "they". For singular subjects like "he", "she", or "it", use "has control over". Example: "They "have control over" the entire territory".

What are some common synonyms for "has control over" in a professional context?

In a professional setting, you can use more formal alternatives like "exercises authority over", "oversees", or "is responsible for" depending on the specific context and level of formality required.