to maintain control over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to maintain control over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is discussing authority, influence, or management of a situation, group, or resource. Example: "The manager's goal is to maintain control over the project's timeline and budget to ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You have to maintain control over a big city for a long time.

The Guardian

Israel has sought to maintain control over access to the sea.

The New York Times

To maintain control over society, leaders have embraced enhanced surveillance technology.

The New York Times

Some of these obstacles are a result of China's desire to maintain control over internal dissent.

The New York Times

"There are delays, and I wanted to maintain control over my time".

The New York Times

The new company will have plenty of company in exploring new ways for artists to maintain control over their creations.

The New York Times - Tech

Part of the problem was his need to maintain control over all aspects of the commission's work.

The New York Times

Mr. Hou, meanwhile, noted: "The Chinese government still wants to maintain control over culture, heritage, museums and society".

The New York Times - Arts

The financial control will now be lost, though the journalists expect to be able to maintain control over their editor.

The New York Times

After independence in 1991, the five Central Asian countries tried to maintain control over the revival and prohibited Islamic political parties.

The New York Times

He has blocked several privatizations in order to maintain control over gas and water prices as well as to shore up a government pension fund.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about organizational strategy, use "to maintain control over" to emphasize the importance of a stable leadership or management approach. This is especially useful in scenarios where maintaining the status quo is crucial for success.

Common error

Avoid using "to maintain control over" when discussing influence or guidance rather than direct management. For instance, guiding a project with suggestions is influencing it, whereas assigning and directly managing tasks is "to maintain control over" it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to maintain control over" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It often introduces clauses that explain the reason behind an action, as seen in Ludwig examples where entities take measures to retain authority or manage resources. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to maintain control over" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase expressing the intent to retain authority or management. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings, it reflects a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the intent to retain existing power, rather than to gain new control, and be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey. The related phrases offer a range of alternatives for expressing similar ideas with varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to retain authority over

Focuses on keeping authority, implying a formal right or power.

to preserve command over

Emphasizes the act of keeping a leadership position or command.

to sustain dominance over

Highlights the continuation of having a superior position.

to keep a tight grip on

Implies a more forceful and restrictive control.

to hold sway over

Suggests influence and persuasive power rather than direct control.

to exercise power over

Focuses on the active use of power to control.

to manage effectively

Refers more to skillful handling and organization rather than strict control.

to oversee operations

Deals with supervising and directing activities.

to keep in check

Implies preventing something from escalating or getting out of hand.

to govern effectively

Highlights the ability to rule or direct a group or area successfully.

FAQs

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

You can use "to maintain control over" when you want to express the idea of retaining authority, influence, or management of a situation, group, or resource. For example: "The company needs to implement new policies "to maintain control over" its brand image."

What are some alternatives to "to maintain control over"?

Some alternatives include "to retain authority over", "to preserve command over", or "to sustain dominance over", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "to maintain control over" or "to gain control over"?

The choice depends on the context. "To maintain control over" implies that control is already established and needs to be kept. "To gain control over" suggests that control is currently lacking and needs to be acquired.

What is the difference between "to maintain control over" and "to influence"?

"To maintain control over" indicates direct management and authority, while "to influence" suggests persuasion or guidance without necessarily having direct authority. You maintain control when you have power to direct actions and influence when you sway decisions.