in a position to control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a position to control" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's authority or ability to influence or manage a situation or group. Example: "As the project manager, she is in a position to control the direction of the team's efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

I think I'm in a position to control the end of my races.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're in a position to control our own destiny right now, so I can't complain.

The New York Times - Sports

With Trump's inadvertent help, Kelly now clearly believes that she is in a position to control her own destiny.

The Guardian

You have to deal with entitlements; you have to be in a position to control discretionary spending.

The New Yorker

Moody's said Wal-Mart and Target were in a position to control prices and exert pressure on Toys R UsUs.

The New York Times

Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships:For each presenter, author or educational partner who is in a position to control content.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Often the state is at least as aware of the risks as the businesses that distribute the product, and in at least as good a position to control or prevent them.

The Economist

Since most of its revenue comes from PC microprocessors, where it controls most of the market share, Intel is in a better position to control pricing conditions in response to the ebb and flow of inventory conditions.

Forbes

An estimated one-third of HCV-infected individuals in the U.S. pass through the correctional system, placing this system in a key position to control the HCV epidemic (Varan et al. 2014).

Health & Justice

"With Mullah Omar, the Pakistanis are in a better position to control the Taliban," Vali Nasr, Holbrooke's former adviser, said.

The New Yorker

Usually, this type of patterning is easy enough to establish and recognise, and something the author is (or ought to be) in a good position to control.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision matters, pair this phrase with specific details about the area of control. For example, "in a position to control project costs" is more informative than "in a position to control."

Common error

Avoid using "in a position to control" if the person or entity only has indirect influence. Overstating control can create unrealistic expectations or misrepresent the actual level of authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a position to control" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates the capacity or authority someone possesses to manage or direct something. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a position to control" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes someone's ability to manage or influence a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and formal business settings. While alternatives like "able to influence" or "capable of managing" exist, it's important to use this phrase when direct authority is implied and avoid overstating the level of control. The phrase is considered neutral, making it versatile for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to influence

Focuses on the ability to affect something without necessarily having direct authority.

in charge of

Highlights responsibility and oversight for a specific task or area.

capable of managing

Highlights the competence to handle or direct something effectively.

have authority over

Focuses on the recognized right to give commands or make decisions.

have the power to direct

Emphasizes the authority and capacity to guide or steer something.

wield influence on

Emphasizes the active use of power to affect something.

in command

Suggests a leading role with responsibility for giving orders.

hold sway over

Suggests a persuasive or dominating influence.

able to dictate

Implies the power to impose or determine something authoritatively.

at the helm

Indicates being in a leadership role, steering or guiding something.

FAQs

How can I use "in a position to control" in a sentence?

Use "in a position to control" to describe someone who has the authority or ability to manage or direct something. For example, "The manager is "in a position to control" the project's budget".

What are some alternatives to "in a position to control"?

Alternatives include "able to influence", "capable of managing", or "have the power to direct", depending on the context.

What does it mean to be "in a position to control" something?

Being "in a position to control" means you have the necessary authority, resources, or influence to manage, direct, or govern a specific situation, process, or entity effectively.

Is "in a position to control" formal or informal?

The phrase "in a position to control" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, business reports, and academic papers.