not in control of

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "not in control of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something doesn't have authority over something else. For example: "He was not in control of his emotions during the speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're not in control of Congress anymore.

The New York Times

"But I'm not in control of that.

The New York Times

"We were not in control of the acoustics.

The New York Times - Arts

The problem is we're not in control of anything anymore.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're not in control of events here," one aide said.

The New York Times

It is not in control of the Mediterranean.

Yale University

"Well unfortunately you're not in control of your schedule.

The Guardian - Sport

I am not in control of the process.

The Guardian - Business

They're not in control of the White House.

The New York Times

The Republican Party was not in control of the situation.

The New York Times

You're not in control of your own body".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "not in control of" to precisely express a lack of influence, authority, or management over a particular situation, process, or entity. Consider substituting with related phrases like "lacking control over" or "unable to manage" for variety and nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "not in control of" when describing situations where influence is merely limited, not completely absent. Overstating the lack of control can lead to inaccurate or exaggerated claims. Ensure that if you state that one is "not in control of" something, that implies absence of authority and not a limited one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in control of" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating a lack of authority, influence, or management over something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not in control of" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to express a lack of authority, influence, or management over something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and business communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what lacks control and consider using alternatives like "lacking control over" or "without authority over" to add nuance. Avoid misattributing a complete lack of control when influence is merely limited to maintain accuracy in your writing. Overall, mastering the use of "not in control of" enhances clarity and precision in expressing the absence of authority or management.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking control over

Emphasizes the absence of control, highlighting a deficiency in the ability to manage or direct.

not in charge of

Directly indicates the absence of responsibility or leadership over something.

without authority over

Focuses on the absence of legitimate power or right to govern or direct.

unable to manage

Highlights the inability to effectively handle or direct a situation or entity.

not responsible for

Denotes a lack of accountability or obligation for something.

powerless over

Emphasizes a complete lack of strength or authority to control something.

outside of one's jurisdiction

Indicates that something is beyond one's legal or official authority.

beyond one's influence

Highlights the inability to affect or alter a situation or outcome.

helpless against

Suggests a lack of power or ability to prevent or resist something.

at the mercy of

Indicates that one is subject to the whims or control of another force or entity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not in control of" in a sentence?

You can use phrases like "lacking control over", "unable to manage", or "without authority over" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not in control of"?

Yes, "not in control of" is grammatically correct and widely used in various forms of writing and speech, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in sources analyzed by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "not in control of" and "not responsible for"?

"Not in control of" implies a lack of power or authority, while "not responsible for" indicates a lack of accountability or obligation. For example, you might be "not in control of" the weather, but you are "not responsible for" a decision you didn't make.

When should I use "not in control of" versus "out of control"?

"Not in control of" means someone lacks the ability to manage or direct something from the beginning. "Out of control" implies that something was previously managed but has become unmanageable. For instance, "The project is not in control of the manager", while "The fire is out of control".