out of our control

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of our control" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a situation that you are unable to influence. For example, "The sudden snowstorm was out of our control so the school was closed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This situation is out of our control.

Independent

The matter was out of our control".

Independent

It's out of our control," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

"But things got out of our control".

The New York Times

Now it's out of our control entirely.

The Washington Post

"They're totally out of our control," he added.

The New York Times

"Sorry, but this decision is out of our control".

The Guardian - Film

Once we release music it's out of our control.

The Guardian - Music

So much is completely out of our control.

The Guardian - Opinion

But these are factors that are out of our control".

The New York Times

"It's out of our control, the top four," Frayssinous said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of our control" to acknowledge factors that impact a situation but cannot be directly managed. This is especially useful in reports or explanations where transparency is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "out of our control" as an excuse to deflect responsibility when there are actions that could have been taken to mitigate the situation. Ensure that a genuine lack of control exists before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of our control" functions as an adjectival phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a situation or factor that cannot be influenced or managed. According to Ludwig AI, it correctly describes situations where influence is absent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of our control" is a commonly used expression to describe situations where influence or management is not possible. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. With a neutral register, it is suitable for various contexts, including news reporting, scientific discussions, and general conversation. When using this phrase, it's best to ensure there are no viable actions to influence the situation and that you are not deflecting responsibility. Alternatives such as "beyond our jurisdiction" or "not within our power" can offer nuanced ways to convey the same lack of influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncontrollable by us

Directly states the inability to control something.

outside our influence

Highlights the inability to have an effect on an event or decision.

independent of our actions

Highlights that something occurs regardless of what we do.

not within our power

Emphasizes a lack of ability or strength to affect a situation.

it is not up to us

Emphasizes that a decision or outcome is not our choice or responsibility.

beyond our jurisdiction

Indicates that something falls outside the scope of one's authority or legal power.

beyond our reach

Implies that something is unattainable or impossible for us to manage.

not our responsibility

Suggests that something is not within one's duties or obligations to manage.

we cannot govern

Focuses on the inability to rule or direct a situation.

not subject to our will

Indicates a lack of power to direct or command a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "out of our control" in a sentence?

You can use "out of our control" to describe situations where you or a group lacks the ability to influence or change an outcome. For example, "The weather conditions were "out of our control", so we had to postpone the event."

What are some alternatives to saying "out of our control"?

Alternatives include "beyond our jurisdiction", "not within our power", or "outside our influence", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "out of our control"?

Yes, "out of our control" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate a lack of influence or authority over a situation.

What does it mean when something is "out of our control"?

When something is "out of our control", it means that we lack the ability to directly influence or change its outcome, regardless of our efforts.