relinquish control of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relinquish control of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of giving up authority or responsibility over something or someone. Example: "After years of managing the project, she decided to relinquish control of the team to her successor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Founders of Adelphia Communications Corp. relinquish control of the failing company.

The New York Times

Does this mean we should relinquish control of our workouts to a demanding coach?

The New York Times

Mr. Ichimura does relinquish control of the cooking at two points, though.

The New York Times - Food

Still, countries remain reluctant to relinquish control of their home institutions to Frankfurt.

The New York Times

Anyway, Widdecombe wasn't going to relinquish control of her evening that easily.

Independent

Rea had to relinquish control of the project in May after Labour regained control of the council.

The Guardian

But governments are notoriously reluctant to relinquish control of aviation treaties because they raise issues of national sovereignty and security.

The New York Times

"Having a visa system is vital to protecting Britain's borders and we won't relinquish control of them by joining Schengen.

The Guardian

But the announcement was nearly overshadowed by the refusal of the chairman's son to relinquish control of Hyundai's automaker.

The New York Times

Many local farmers are forced to sell or relinquish control of their land, and are impoverished as a result.

The Guardian

He refused to relinquish control of his work, and so denied his collaborator Steve Wozniak his due recognition.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality required for your writing. While "relinquish control of" is generally suitable for formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "give up control" for more informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "relinquish control of" when the subject never actually possessed the control in question. It's about giving up something you had, not something you never owned. The phrase "seize control of" might be more appropriate in these situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "relinquish control of" is as a verb phrase functioning as a predicate in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates it's correct and commonly used. It describes the action of giving up authority or power.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relinquish control of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that conveys the act of surrendering power or authority. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely accepted and used across diverse contexts, with a notable prevalence in news and media. While versatile, it leans towards the formal side, so consider alternatives like "give up control of" for more casual settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is relinquishing control and to whom or what it is being transferred, and avoid using it in scenarios where control was never actually held. By following these guidelines, you can effectively integrate "relinquish control of" into your writing, conveying your intended meaning with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Give up control of

More informal and direct; implies a voluntary action of surrendering control.

Surrender control of

Suggests yielding control, often under pressure or duress.

Hand over control of

Implies a transfer of power or responsibility to another party.

Cede control of

More formal; suggests a legal or official transfer of control.

Abdicate control of

Implies a formal renunciation of power or responsibility.

Transfer control of

Focuses on the act of moving control from one entity to another.

Lose control of

Indicates an inability to maintain control, often unintentionally.

Release control of

Suggests a deliberate act of freeing oneself from the burdens of control.

Yield control of

Implies reluctantly giving up control, often to avoid conflict or resistance.

Pass on control of

Indicates a planned succession or delegation of authority.

FAQs

What does "relinquish control of" mean?

The phrase "relinquish control of" means to voluntarily give up or surrender authority, power, or command over something or someone.

What can I say instead of "relinquish control of"?

You can use alternatives like "give up control of", "surrender control of", or "cede control of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "relinquish control of"?

It's appropriate when someone or some entity is giving up authority or responsibility that they previously held. For instance, a CEO might "relinquish control of" a project to a subordinate, or a country might "relinquish control of" a territory.

Is "relinquish control of" formal or informal?

The phrase "relinquish control of" is generally considered more formal. For informal contexts, phrases like "give up control of" or "hand over control of" might be more suitable.