to be controlled by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be controlled by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the influence or authority that one entity has over another. Example: "The project is expected to be controlled by the new management team starting next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Honduras is often said to be controlled by ten families.

The New Yorker

Timing, for example, appears to be controlled by the cerebellum.

The New Yorker

— areas that used to be controlled by other ethnic networks.

The New York Times

Their activities appear to be controlled by multiple factors.

Biosystems

They won't allow the entire conversation to be controlled by self-appointed so-called experts.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He added that Yukos Moldova appears to be controlled by the same investors as Group Menatep.

The New York Times

The Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions are understood to be controlled by al-Shabaab.

The Guardian

The farms are owned by foreign companies and thus assumed to be controlled by whites.

The New York Times

He claimed to be controlled by demons, and that his father was not his real father.

The Guardian - Arts

Force regulation appears to be controlled by another area of the brain entirely, the basal ganglia.

The New Yorker

These illicit activities are said to be controlled by a shadowy agency known as Division 39.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be controlled by", ensure the subject doing the controlling is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be controlled by" in simple sentences where a more direct active voice construction would be clearer and more concise. For example, instead of "The machine is to be controlled by the operator", write "The operator controls the machine".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be controlled by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject receives the action of being controlled. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. This is evident in various contexts provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be controlled by" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to indicate that something is subject to the authority, influence, or management of another. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, and is generally considered neutral to formal in register. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure clarity by explicitly stating who or what is doing the controlling. While acceptable, remember that using the active voice often results in clearer and more concise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be governed by

Replaces "controlled" with a term suggesting a more formal or structured management.

to be managed by

Focuses on the practical administration or oversight of something.

to be influenced by

Shifts the emphasis to indirect power rather than direct command.

to be directed by

Suggests a guiding hand or specific instructions being followed.

to be subject to

Implies that something is under the power or authority of another.

to be run by

Focuses on the operational aspects of control.

to be overseen by

Highlights the supervisory aspect of control.

to be dominated by

Emphasizes a stronger, more forceful form of control.

to be regulated by

Indicates control through rules and regulations.

to be dictated by

Suggests control through commands or orders.

FAQs

How can I use "to be controlled by" in a sentence?

Use "to be controlled by" when you want to emphasize that something is subject to the authority or influence of someone or something else. For instance, "The project is expected to "to be controlled by" the new management team."

What are some alternatives to "to be controlled by"?

You can use alternatives such as "to be governed by", "to be managed by", or "to be influenced by" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

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

While "to be controlled by" is in the passive voice, it's grammatically correct. However, consider using the active voice for clearer, more direct writing. For example, instead of "The system is to be controlled by the administrator", you can write "The administrator controls the system".

What's the difference between "to be controlled by" and "to be influenced by"?

"To be controlled by" implies direct authority or command, while "to be influenced by" suggests a more subtle, indirect effect. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize direct power or a less overt impact.