ruled by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ruled by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to convey the idea that some person or group has control or authority over something else. For example, "The small country is ruled by a tyrant dictator."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Journalists ruled by politicians?

Independent

Ruled by a Fascist leader.

The New York Times

But I cannot be ruled by fear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In Bohemia, Charles ruled by hereditary right.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They ruled by consensus.

The New Yorker

AWK ruled by fear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nureyev was utterly ruled by his narcissism.

The New Yorker

"She ruled by fear and intimidation.

The New York Times

Iran is ruled by religious fanatics.

The New York Times

I am ruled by my intellect.

The New York Times

"Suddenly, I'm being ruled by my enemy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ruled by", ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who or what is doing the ruling and who or what is being ruled.

Common error

Avoid using "ruled by" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The decision was ruled by fear", consider "Fear ruled the decision."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ruled by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is under the control or influence of a specified entity or force. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ruled by" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate that a subject is under the control or influence of something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent appearance in a wide array of sources. As shown through many examples, "ruled by" is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in encyclopedias and scientific texts. When writing, it's important to ensure clarity in subject and object to avoid ambiguity and to consider whether an active voice construction would be more impactful. While synonyms like "governed by" and "controlled by" exist, "ruled by" remains a common and effective choice for conveying governance and control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

governed by

Emphasizes the act of governing, implying a formal system or authority.

controlled by

Highlights the aspect of direct control or manipulation.

influenced by

Suggests a more subtle form of power where actions are affected but not necessarily dictated.

subject to

Indicates that something is under the authority or power of something else.

under the jurisdiction of

Specifies a legal or formal control.

dictated by

Implies that decisions or actions are forcibly determined by a specific factor.

dominated by

Focuses on the idea of one entity having a superior position or power.

led by

Emphasizes the role of leadership and guidance.

managed by

Highlights the administrative and operational aspects of control.

overseen by

Suggests a supervisory role where actions are monitored and directed.

FAQs

How can I use "ruled by" in a sentence?

You can use "ruled by" to indicate that something is controlled or governed by a particular entity or principle. For example, "The country is "ruled by" a dictator" or "Her decisions are "ruled by" her emotions".

What's a good alternative to "ruled by"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "governed by", "controlled by", or "influenced by" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "ruled by"?

While "ruled by" is in the passive voice and grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your sentence more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The city was "ruled by" the king", you could say "The king ruled the city".

What is the difference between "ruled by" and "led by"?

"Ruled by" implies a position of authority and control, while "led by" suggests guidance and direction. A country can be "ruled by" a monarch, but a project is typically "led by" a project manager.