keep in control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'keep in control' is a common expression used in written English.
It is often used to encourage someone to remain calm, composed, and level-headed in stressful situations. For example, "It's easy to get overwhelmed in this business, but try to keep in control and you'll be fine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

If a person jumps onto the track the driver must react carefully and keep in control.

The Guardian

Ministers struggle to keep in control; some, he writes, "have resorted to FOI-ing their own departments to get vital information".

The Guardian

The key results allow us to confirm that with the adoption of the QoSatAr architecture, it is possible to keep in control the satellite system load while guaranteeing QoS levels for the high-priority traffic classes even though bandwidth variations due to rain events are experienced.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

When health declines, older persons may benefit from an intervention program that strengthens their self-management and empowers them to keep in control of their own body and life.

BMC Geriatrics

Specifically the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is a structured intervention that emphasizes the strengthening of self-management by older persons with deteriorating health in order to empower them to keep in control of their own body and life [ 12, 14– 17].

BMC Geriatrics

Always keep in control of yourself.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Mr Rudd must ensure, therefore, that wages and government spending are kept in control.

The Economist

The Boston Bruins kept in control of the tight race for the Northeast Division title by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0.

The Guardian - Sport

The downside of his sense of being an outsider was an inferiority complex kept in control by his ironic awareness of its being there.

The Guardian - Books

The International Diabetes Federation issued guidelines in September urging better control of glucose spikes after meals, saying there was evidence they could contribute to complications of diabetes even if average blood sugar levels were kept in control.

The New York Times

Generally the severe form proved unhealable and was only to be kept in control by surgery.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the need for composure or emotional stability, "keep in control" is particularly effective. For example, "In a crisis, it's crucial to keep in control of your emotions."

Common error

Avoid using "keep in control" when referring to external forces that are inherently uncontrollable. For example, instead of saying "We need to keep the weather in control", focus on managing the impact of the weather.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep in control" functions as a directive or descriptive phrase, often used to emphasize the importance of maintaining command, regulation, or composure in various situations. This is seen in Ludwig's examples where it describes actions ranging from driving a locomotive to managing one's emotions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep in control" serves as a directive or descriptive expression emphasizing the importance of maintaining command, regulation, or composure. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase, found across various contexts from News & Media to Science. While "keep in control" exhibits a neutral register, its usage is most frequent in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, remember that it is most effective when referring to aspects that can be reasonably managed, and it can be replaced by alternatives like "maintain control" or "stay in charge" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain control

Focuses on the act of sustaining command or regulation.

stay in charge

Emphasizes the aspect of being the person or entity with authority.

remain in command

Highlights the continuity of holding a position of authority.

exercise restraint

Implies controlling one's emotions or actions.

keep a lid on

Suggests suppressing or containing something, such as emotions or information.

stay on top of things

Focuses on managing tasks and responsibilities effectively.

handle the situation

Emphasizes dealing effectively with a specific set of circumstances.

govern oneself

Highlights self-regulation and personal discipline.

keep things in order

Focuses on maintaining organization and structure.

manage effectively

Implies skillful handling and efficient operation.

FAQs

What does "keep in control" mean?

The phrase "keep in control" means to maintain command, regulation, or composure over oneself, a situation, or something else. It implies avoiding losing one's grip or allowing something to spiral out of hand.

How can I use "keep in control" in a sentence?

You can use "keep in control" to advise someone to remain calm, or to describe maintaining a stable state. For instance, "It's important to "exercise restraint" and keep in control during negotiations".

What are some alternatives to "keep in control"?

Alternatives include "maintain control", "stay in charge", or "remain in command", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "keep in control" or "stay in control"?

Both "keep in control" and "stay in control" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to emphasize. They are largely interchangeable.