power over

USAGE SUMMARY

"power over" is a legitimate phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to having authority, control, or influence over someone or something. For example: "The president holds significant power over economic policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Power over whom?

The New Yorker

It's always power over somebody.

The New Yorker

"Who should I hand power over to?

The Economist

This gives me power over them".

The New Yorker

"They have great power over political opinion.

The New Yorker

He exercised great power over Poland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We have power over our own bodies.

Independent

Women rightly reject oppressive "power over".

The New York Times

Courts have limited power over settlements.

The New York Times

And power over access to a medium is power over the medium itself.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Always remember, you can "Power-over' in NFS Carbon.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "power over", clearly define who or what is being controlled and the scope of that control. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure that the subject of control is clearly defined when using the phrase "power over". For instance, instead of saying "They have power over decisions", specify "They have power over budget decisions" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "power over" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that indicates control, authority, or influence that one entity exerts upon another. As Ludwig examples illustrate, it commonly appears in contexts describing relationships of dominance or governance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "power over" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe relationships involving control, authority, or influence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various domains, including news, encyclopedias, and wikis. When using "power over", it's important to clearly define the entities involved and the scope of the control being exerted. While alternatives such as "authority over" and "control over" exist, "power over" remains a direct and effective way to convey the dynamic of dominance in a given situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authority over

Replaces "power" with "authority", emphasizing legitimate control.

control over

Substitutes "power" with "control", highlighting the ability to manage or direct.

influence over

Replaces "power" with "influence", focusing on the capacity to affect someone or something.

dominion over

Uses "dominion" instead of "power", suggesting a more extensive and comprehensive control.

command over

Employs "command" to indicate a formal or hierarchical control.

jurisdiction over

Replaces "power" with "jurisdiction", emphasizing legal or territorial control.

mastery of

Shifts the focus to skill or expertise, implying control through competence.

hold over

Expresses a controlling influence, often in a manipulative sense.

reign over

Suggests a ruling power, typically in a monarchical or metaphorical sense.

sway over

Indicates the ability to persuade or influence decisions.

FAQs

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

You can use "power over" to indicate control or authority, as in "The government has "power over" the country's finances".

What's the difference between "power over" and "influence over"?

"Power over" implies direct control and authority, while "influence over" suggests a more subtle ability to affect decisions or actions without direct command.

What are some alternatives to using "power over" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "authority over", "control over", or "dominion over".

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "power over"?

The phrase "power over" is appropriate when describing relationships involving authority, control, or dominance. It can be used in political, social, or even personal contexts.