leverage over

USAGE SUMMARY

"leverage over" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the act of having an advantage over someone or something in order to influence them. For example: "The company had leverage over its competitors due to its larger market share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have complete leverage over you.

The New York Times

Mr. Cuomo had significant leverage over lawmakers.

The New York Times

That's their only leverage over the process.

The New Yorker

Brussels and Washington have leverage over Warsaw.

The Guardian - Opinion

Washington's leverage over Beijing is not great.

The New York Times

They also have considerable leverage over him.

The Washington Post

That gives Brussels significant leverage over the country.

The New York Times

So what, ultimately, is Obama's leverage over Netanyahu?

The New York Times

And the central bank has leverage over the banking system.

The New York Times

Bottom line: Nuclear suppliers have leverage over China.

The New York Times

This can give the government more leverage over a witness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leverage over", clearly identify both the source of the leverage and the entity or situation being influenced. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about "leverage over" without specifying what creates that advantage. Always clarify the basis of the leverage to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leverage over" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically following a noun or verb, to indicate influence, control, or advantage that one entity has over another. As Ludwig AI states, it describes having an advantage to influence someone or something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leverage over" is a frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies influence, control, or strategic advantage. It is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing predominantly in news and media, but also in formal and business contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's important to clearly identify the source and target of the "leverage over" to ensure clarity. The phrase enjoys high source quality and expert rating, confirming its reliable and consistent usage. Consider alternatives like ""influence on"" or ""advantage over"" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upper hand over

Indicates having a strategic advantage in a competitive situation, closely related to "leverage".

advantage over

Directly points to a beneficial position compared to someone else, similar to "leverage".

hold over

Indicates a controlling influence, often based on sensitive information or past actions.

control over

Emphasizes direct management or command, which can be a stronger form of "leverage".

authority over

Highlights the formal right to give orders and make decisions, a more official form of "leverage".

influence on

Focuses on the power to affect something, rather than the strategic advantage implied by "leverage".

dominance over

Implies a superior position, suggesting a complete command over someone or something.

power over

Highlights the ability to dominate or exert force, which is a more forceful take on "leverage".

sway over

Suggests a more subtle form of influence or persuasion compared to "leverage".

impact on

Focuses on the effect or consequence, rather than the intentional use of advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "leverage over" in a sentence?

You can use "leverage over" to describe a situation where one party has an advantage or influence over another. For example: "The company's strong market position gave it significant leverage over its suppliers."

What are some alternatives to "leverage over"?

Some alternatives include "influence on", "control over", or "advantage over", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "leverage on" instead of "leverage over"?

While "leverage" can sometimes be used with "on", "leverage over" is more common and generally preferred when describing influence or advantage. Using "leverage on" might sound awkward to some readers.

What's the difference between "leverage over" and "hold over"?

"Leverage over" generally describes a strategic advantage, while "hold over" often implies a controlling influence based on sensitive information or past actions.