maintain control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'maintain control' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of keeping a situation or group of people under control. For example: "The leader of the group took steps to maintain control when the discussion became heated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Can its government maintain control?

The New Yorker

You've got to maintain control".

The New York Times

They will maintain control of the House.

The Economist

On one hand, you maintain control.

The New Yorker

Republicans will now maintain control of the court.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Brazil should maintain control of the bank," he said.

The New York Times

England maintain control, shifting gradually left until Botha knocks on.

The Guardian - Sport

Our President instills fear in order to maintain control.

The New Yorker

During his presidency he battled to maintain control.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Though Republicans are certain to maintain control, several representatives will likely lose their seats.

Vice

I spent much of the movie gripping the armrests of my seat, trying to maintain control.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain control" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being controlled and why it's important to do so. For example, "The government struggled to maintain control over the rebellious region."

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions that obscure who is performing the action of maintaining control. Instead of saying "Control must be maintained", specify who needs to take action: "The security team must maintain control."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain control" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "maintain" is the main verb and "control" serves as its object. This structure indicates an action being performed to preserve or continue a state of authority or management. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain control" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across a variety of contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing the act of keeping something or someone under management, oversight, or regulation. Predominantly found in news, business, and formal writing, it signifies the importance of preserving stability and order. While alternatives like "retain authority" or "exercise command" offer nuanced variations, the core idea remains focused on ensuring that a desired level of control is sustained. Remember to avoid passive voice to ensure clarity and specify who is responsible for maintaining control. With its widespread applicability and clear meaning, "maintain control" is a valuable phrase for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep in check

Implies preventing something from escalating or getting out of hand.

retain authority

Focuses on preserving one's power or right to command.

be in charge of

Indicates responsibility and oversight.

exercise command

Emphasizes the active use of authority or power.

stay on top of

Informal, suggesting diligent management and awareness.

keep a handle on

More informal, suggesting a firm grasp on a situation.

govern effectively

Focuses on the quality and impact of the control being exerted.

preserve order

Highlights the aspect of maintaining a structured or peaceful state.

ensure compliance

Focuses on making sure rules or directives are followed.

hold sway over

Implies influence and dominance over someone or something.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain control" to describe the act of keeping something under management or restraint. For example: "The pilot struggled to maintain control of the aircraft during the storm."

What are some alternatives to "maintain control"?

Alternatives include "retain authority", "exercise command", or "keep a handle on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "maintain the control" instead of "maintain control"?

While "control" can be a countable noun, in the phrase "maintain control", it's generally used as an uncountable noun. Therefore, "maintain control" is usually the correct and more idiomatic choice.

What is the difference between "maintain control" and "establish control"?

"Maintain control" implies that control already exists and needs to be kept, whereas "establish control" means creating or gaining control where it didn't previously exist. They describe different stages of managing something.