scant control over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant control over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is very little authority or influence over something. Example: "The manager had scant control over the team's decisions, leading to confusion and inefficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

When oil prices shot up, something Mr. Richardson has scant control over, Republicans launched a fresh round of attacks.

The New York Times

People who have scant control over their lives are bound to place tremendous importance on luck and fate.

The New Yorker

Mr Sheikh still lacks authority over most of the country.He also has scant control over his armed forces and few sources of revenue.

The Economist

A little anxious and a little tentative, Knoblauch talked about feeling as if he has scant control over the simple act of throwing a ball from second base to first base.

The New York Times - Sports

This difference in brain activity compared with when we are awake helps explain why we feel like we have such scant control over our dreams — we are observers, along for the ride — and why when weird things happen.

The Washington Post

Thanks to a city charter that still focuses on limiting his powers, its mayor has scant control over any of these things.Yet with only a few days before their May 17th run-off, both Mr Villaraigosa and the incumbent mayor, James Hahn, are spending vast amounts of money (most of it in mud-slinging TV ads) campaigning for that job.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr Singh warned of a rapid increase in the number of private educational providers in many developing countries over the past decade, with many unregistered schools and "scant control by public authorities".

BBC

Kevin Brown, the N.L.'s third pitcher, had scant control as the A.L. took a 1-0 lead in the third.

The New York Times - Sports

"Authors," she wrote, "rarely have full editorial control; rarely do they have even 'scant' control over their covers or the language used in dialogue or even sequencing of scenes: love scenes, kissing scenes, scenes of violence, etc.

The Guardian - Books

You have to remember where they were a scant 15 years ago, I would argue: Mr. Putin has to restore control over the government and economy, and the oligarchs have to be reined in.

The New York Times

I have control over it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scant control over" when you want to emphasize a lack of authority or influence in a situation where control might be expected or desired.

Common error

Avoid using "scant control over" when there is absolutely no control. "Scant" implies some degree of control, however minimal. If there's zero control, use phrases like "no control over" or "completely without control."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant control over" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating a limited degree of influence or authority. Ludwig examples confirm its use to describe situations where control is less than expected or desired. The Ludwig AI also agrees on the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

16%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scant control over" correctly describes a situation characterized by limited influence or authority. Ludwig's AI confirms the validity and usefulness of the phrase. While grammatically sound and employed across news, business, and general contexts, this expression is not particularly frequent. Related phrases, like "limited authority over" or "minimal influence on", offer semantically similar substitutes. When using "scant control over", be sure the context truly reflects the presence of some control, however minimal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited authority over

Emphasizes the restriction in formal power or rights.

minimal influence on

Focuses on the small impact one has on something.

little command of

Highlights a lack of mastery or direction.

slight sway over

Suggests a very mild degree of persuasion or control.

restricted power over

Stresses limitations on the ability to govern or direct.

inadequate dominance over

Indicates an insufficient level of control to be truly dominant.

tenuous grip on

Implies a weak and easily lost control.

deficient management of

Highlights a lack of effective management skills.

nominal oversight of

Suggests control exists only in name, not in practice.

feeble hold on

Implies a very weak and unstable degree of control.

FAQs

How can I use "scant control over" in a sentence?

You can use "scant control over" to indicate a limited amount of influence or authority. For example, "The mayor had "scant control over" the city council's decisions."

What's the difference between "scant control over" and "limited control over"?

"Scant control over" suggests a smaller degree of control than "limited control over". Scant implies a minimal amount, while limited suggests a more general restriction.

Are there situations where "scant control over" is inappropriate?

Yes, it might not be appropriate if you want to convey complete lack of control or very strong dominance. It is best used when some minimal level of control exists, but it's insufficient.

What are some alternatives to "scant control over" for formal writing?

In formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "minimal influence on" or "limited authority over" to maintain a professional tone.