increase control over

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "increase control over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to taking steps to increase one's power or authority over something or someone. For example, "The company took steps to increase its control over its suppliers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

One of the most prominent critics of attempts to increase control over copyrighted material applauded the new report.

The New York Times

Web users say the proposal was an attempt to increase control over web content, but the government says it is trying to discourage slander and porn.

The Guardian

This is why many of the big names in the business, such as Gucci, are becoming more vertically integrated to increase control over their operations.

The Economist

After nightfall, his press office released a conciliatory statement, saying that the speech was meant "exclusively as a recommendation to the police to increase control over migration processes".

The New York Times

SmartTouch customers will not receive a monthly bill and Bell Atlantic intends to describe the prepaid nature of the plan as a way for budget-conscious consumers to increase control over their household's long-distance spending, executives close to the company said yesterday.

The New York Times

Health promotion, in turn, is the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Increasing control over the product can only be purchased by the increasing depersonalization of the entire process," Kass says.

The New York Times - Books

As the poor become poorer and the rich become richer, the rich acquire increasing control over another crucial asset: money.

The Guardian - Books

This added to the roll-call of Chinese attempts to exercise increasing control over disputed waters.

The Economist

Moreover, Stalin's increasing control over the Communists limited their political flexibility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This could give players increased control over how their medical information is used, and that could increase their leverage in trade talks or contract negotiations.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "increase control over" a situation, clearly define the specific actions you'll take to achieve that control. For example, instead of stating "We need to increase control over the project", specify "We will increase control over the project by implementing weekly progress reports and mandatory risk assessments."

Common error

Avoid using "increase control over" when complete control is unrealistic or impossible. Instead, opt for phrasing that suggests improved management or influence. For example, say "improve oversight of" rather than claiming to "increase control over" inherently unpredictable events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase control over" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe actions aimed at augmenting authority, command, or influence. The Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase control over" is a versatile expression used to describe efforts to strengthen authority or influence across various domains. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. It appears frequently in scientific, news, and business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the specific actions that will lead to increased control and avoid overstating the degree of control that can realistically be achieved. Alternatives such as "enhance authority over" and "strengthen command of" can offer subtle differences in meaning. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of formal and informal settings, as shown by the diverse examples available in Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhance authority over

Emphasizes strengthening existing authority rather than just increasing control.

expand influence over

Focuses on broadening the scope of influence, which may not always equate to direct control.

strengthen command of

Highlights reinforcing an existing position of command.

exercise greater power over

Emphasizes the active use of power to exert control.

gain more mastery over

Implies achieving a higher level of skill or expertise in managing something.

assert dominance over

Suggests a more forceful and potentially confrontational approach to gaining control.

tighten grip on

Conveys a sense of holding something firmly to maintain control.

extend dominion over

Implies expanding territorial or authoritative reach.

widen the scope of authority over

Refers to broadening the range of one's power over something.

escalate power over

Emphasis on escalating power

FAQs

How can I use "increase control over" in a sentence?

You can use "increase control over" to describe actions taken to gain more authority or command. For instance, "The company implemented new policies to "increase control over" its supply chain."

What are some alternatives to "increase control over"?

Alternatives include "enhance authority over", "expand influence over", or "strengthen command of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to aim to "increase control over" something?

No, in some situations, complete control is unrealistic or undesirable. In such cases, it may be more appropriate to aim to "improve oversight of" or "better manage" rather than seeking to "increase control over" something entirely.

What's the difference between "increase control over" and "gaining control over"?

"Increase control over" implies that some level of control already exists and is being enhanced. "Gaining control over", on the other hand, suggests acquiring control where none existed before. They can be similar, but "gaining control over" suggests a starting point.