to control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of exercising power or influence over something or someone. Example: "The manager's goal is to control the workflow to ensure efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Microsoft's Bid To Control The Cloud.

Forbes

It's tough to control.

The New York Times - Sports

You get to control everything.

The New York Times - Sports

"You want to control change.

The New York Times - Sports

A difficult game to control.

The Guardian - Sport

You want to control everything.

The New Yorker

"He wants to control everything".

The New Yorker

They want to control everything".

The New York Times

Try to control your excitement".

The New York Times

"We'll have to control that".

The New York Times

I managed to control myself.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to control" when you want to emphasize the act of exercising power, influence, or authority over something or someone. It suggests an ability to direct or regulate actions or outcomes.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "to control" in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "to manage", "to regulate", or "to govern" to add nuance and precision to your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to control" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase, often expressing purpose or intention. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes the act of exercising influence, authority, or direction over something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

12%

Reference

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to control" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive verb phrase that expresses the act of exerting influence or authority. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to academic papers. While highly common, varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "to manage", "to regulate", or "to govern" can enhance the precision and impact of your writing. Be mindful of the subtle nuances each synonym brings to avoid overuse and ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to manage

Focuses on the administrative aspect of handling something.

to regulate

Emphasizes the establishment and enforcement of rules or standards.

to govern

Implies a more formal and authoritative control, often in a political or organizational context.

to oversee

Suggests a supervisory role with the responsibility of monitoring and guiding.

to direct

Highlights the act of guiding or instructing something towards a specific goal.

to conduct

Implies guiding or managing an activity or process.

to handle

Focuses on dealing with a situation or task effectively.

to manipulate

Suggests skillful, and sometimes unscrupulous, handling or control.

to dominate

Implies a forceful and commanding control over someone or something.

to steer

Suggests guiding or directing something along a particular course.

FAQs

How can I use "to control" in a sentence?

You can use "to control" to describe the act of exercising influence or authority over something. For example, "The government needs to control inflation".

What can I say instead of "to control"?

You can use alternatives like "to manage", "to regulate", or "to govern" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to control" or "for controlling"?

Both phrases can be correct, but they serve different grammatical functions. "To control" is an infinitive, often expressing purpose, while "for controlling" is a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. For example, "The device is designed to control the temperature" versus "The device is used for controlling the temperature".

What's the difference between "to control" and "in control"?

"To control" is a verb phrase describing the action of exerting influence or authority. "In control" is an adjective phrase describing a state of being in command or having the situation under one's management.