has sway over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has sway over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has influence or control over another person or situation. Example: "The CEO has sway over the company's direction and decision-making processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It also has sway over how the World Bank and International Monetary Fund treat the country.

The New York Times

It has sway over chunks of Lebanon through Hizbullah, the Shia party-cum-militia it finances.

The Economist

Now that she has sway over other tender lives, Ms. Kettles aims for a friendlier feel than the rule-bound libraries of her youth.

The New York Times

Dena Battle, a former legislative director for Rep. Dave Camp, who as head of the powerful Ways and Means Committee has sway over tax policy in the U.S. Jeff Forbes, a former staff director on the Senate Finance Committee.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Intellectual property that we can have sway over.

The Guardian

Mr Ozawa had sway over his children for as long as he held the whip.

The Economist

And it includes others like the Federal Communications Commission that have sway over large sectors of the economy.

The New York Times

Mayor Studer, who is a lawyer, said it was preposterous to contend that Mr. Engelhorn did not have sway over the trust's money.

The New York Times - Arts

Targeted vested interests have sway over the levers of power, and, demonstrably, an emotionally powerful message that taps into American resentments and fears.

The New York Times

Even now, banks have sway over their regulators, especially those stationed at a bank's headquarters, according to two former regulators who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The New York Times

Such rhetoric may help his standing among evangelical pastors, who have sway over many voters in early nominating states in the presidential race such as Iowa and South Carolina.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has sway over", ensure the subject possessing the influence is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The board of directors has sway over the company's strategic decisions" clarifies who holds the influence.

Common error

Avoid assuming that simply because someone is associated with a powerful entity, they automatically "have sway over" specific decisions. Influence needs to be demonstrated, not presumed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has sway over" functions as a verb phrase indicating the ability to influence or control someone or something. It suggests that the subject possesses the power to affect decisions, actions, or opinions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has sway over" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the ability to influence or control. Ludwig AI confirms this. Although relatively infrequent, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When writing, clearly define the subject holding the influence to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like "exerts influence on" and "wields power over" offer similar meanings. Despite its infrequency, the phrase is well-understood and appropriate when describing influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exerts influence on

Replaces "sway" with "influence" and uses "exerts" to emphasize active control.

wields power over

Substitutes "sway" with "power" and employs "wields" to highlight authority.

holds influence over

Uses "influence" in place of "sway" and "holds" to indicate possession of control.

carries weight with

Employs a more idiomatic expression suggesting that someone's opinion is valued.

affects the decisions of

Focuses on the impact on decision-making rather than direct control.

shapes the actions of

Highlights the ability to mold or guide behavior.

dominates

Uses a single verb to convey a strong sense of control.

controls

Directly states the act of controlling without nuance.

governs

Implies a formal or official type of influence.

is influential with

Highlights the quality of being influential, focusing on the relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "has sway over" in a sentence?

Use "has sway over" to indicate that someone or something has influence or control over someone or something else. For instance, "The media "has sway over" public opinion."

What can I say instead of "has sway over"?

You can use alternatives like "exerts influence on", "wields power over", or "holds influence over" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "has influence over" or "has sway over"?

Both "has influence over" and ""has sway over"" are correct, but ""has sway over"" implies a more direct or persuasive form of influence.

What's the difference between "influence" and "sway"?

"Influence" is a general term for affecting someone or something. "Sway" suggests a more persuasive or decisive impact. To "have sway over" something implies a greater degree of control than simply influencing it.