he is a tool of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is a tool of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is being manipulated or used by another person or group for their own purposes. Example: "In the political arena, he is a tool of the lobbyists who seek to influence legislation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"He is a tool of corporations".

The New York Times

He doesn't know he is a tool of my vengeance".

The Guardian - Books

She says he is a "tool of Washington's special interests.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A man with a conscience whose mission in life is to work out who he is whilst trying to apologise to all those he hurt when he was a tool of the government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gingrich would "vote reluctantly" for it because at bottom, he's a tool for whom the bottom line of every equation measures the likelihood of staying in power.

Huffington Post

"Anyway, he is a tool and property of America".

The New York Times

XXXXXXXXXXXX he said, believes Google is a "tool" of the USG being used to "foment peaceful revolution in China".

TechCrunch

A sharecropper's son, he often charges that it is a tool of Wall Street bankers".

The New York Times

He's a tool, a piece of equipment".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Propaganda is a tool of war.

The New York Times

In 1990, George Gilder wrote: "Television is a tool of tyrants.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to emphasize that someone's actions are heavily influenced or dictated by another person or group, often without the individual's full awareness or consent. Consider the power dynamic at play.

Common error

Avoid using this phrase casually; it suggests a significant degree of control. If the influence is minor or indirect, a weaker term like "influenced by" or "aligned with" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is a tool of" functions as a predicative expression, attributing a state of being manipulated or used by another entity to the subject. As Ludwig AI states, it describes someone used by another person or group.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is a tool of" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe someone who is being manipulated or used by another entity for their own purposes. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, often to critically assess an individual's lack of autonomy due to external influence. While carrying a negative connotation, it maintains a neutral register suitable for objective reporting. Alternatives include "he is a puppet of" or "he is a pawn of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is being manipulated by

Focuses on the act of manipulation rather than the role.

he is a pawn of

Suggests being used for someone else's advantage.

he is a puppet of

Emphasizes a lack of control and direct manipulation.

he is an instrument of

Highlights the person as a means to achieve a goal.

he is a dupe of

Highlights deception and unwitting participation.

he is controlled by

Directly states the lack of autonomy.

he is a cat's paw of

Suggests being used to do someone else's dirty work.

he is subject to the will of

Indicates submission to another's desires.

he is under the influence of

Implies external control affecting actions.

he is exploited by

Focuses on the unfair use of someone for personal gain.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is a "he is a tool of" another person?

Saying someone is a "he is a tool of" another person implies they are being manipulated or used by that person for their own purposes, often without the "tool's" full awareness or consent.

Are there more neutral ways to say someone's actions are influenced by others?

Yes, you could say they are "influenced by", "aligned with", or "acting in accordance with" depending on the context.

How can I use "he is a tool of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone whose actions are heavily dictated by another. For example, "The politician is a tool of the lobbyists."

What are some alternatives to "he is a tool of" that suggest manipulation?

Alternatives include "he is a puppet of", "he is a pawn of", or "he is an instrument of".