sway over

USAGE SUMMARY

"sway over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to the influence or control one has over another. Example: "The company president held sway over the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I hold no sway over crossword setters.

The Guardian

Surrealism held powerful sway over Cornell.

The New York Times

Nostalgia holds powerful sway over these pictures.

The New York Times

The government has huge sway over pay.

The Guardian - Opinion

The FCC holds sway over all telecommunications.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He's had enormous sway over the intelligence community.

The New York Times

He has almost no sway over education and health.

The Economist

And priests certainly had special sway over them.

The New York Times

Turkey's commercial sway over northern Iraq is overwhelming.

The New York Times

CHINA has long held powerful sway over Canada's development.

The Economist

LONDON — Greece has long held emotional sway over Europe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "sway over"; it implies a degree of persuasion and isn't always about direct control or force.

Common error

Avoid using "sway over" when describing situations involving direct coercion or absolute power, as it suggests a more subtle form of influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sway over" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating influence or control. Ludwig examples show its use in describing how entities such as governments, media, or individuals impact others' actions or opinions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sway over" is a versatile expression used to describe the influence or control one entity exerts upon another. As indicated by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While it's suitable for formal writing, it’s important to consider that "sway over" suggests a more persuasive influence rather than direct or absolute control. For alternatives, you might consider "influence upon" or "exercise control over", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold power over

Indicates possession of authority or control, suggesting a more inherent right to influence.

exercise control over

Highlights the exertion of power or authority, implying a more direct form of command compared to "sway over".

exert influence on

Similar to "sway over", but places more emphasis on the act of applying influence.

wield authority over

Emphasizes the active use of one's authority or power.

influence upon

This phrase emphasizes the act of affecting someone or something, similar to "sway over", but with a slightly more formal tone.

command influence on

This refers to the degree of command an entity has in a specific domain.

have an impact on

Focuses on the effect one entity has on another, rather than direct control.

have an effect on

Indicates a change or result caused by someone or something. "Sway over" implies an intentional influence.

dominate

Implies a superior position and a greater extent of control than "sway over".

impact greatly upon

This phrase describes an impressive effect, which implies an observable or significant alteration.

FAQs

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

You can use "sway over" to indicate influence or control, such as, "The media can hold significant "sway over" public opinion."

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

"Sway over" often implies a more persuasive or subtle influence, whereas "influence over" is a broader term for any form of impact or effect.

Can I use "sway over" in formal writing?

Yes, "sway over" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing relationships of influence or authority.

What are some alternatives to "sway over"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "have an impact on", "exercise control over", or "exert influence on".