wield power over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wield power over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of having control or influence over someone or something. Example: "The CEO wields power over the company's strategic decisions, shaping its future direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

It is this hegemonic mindset that blocks us from extending ethical considerations to large carnivores and other wildlife, for instance, both in the way we govern our society's interactions with such animals and in how we wield power over them given our technologically-based supremacy (e.g., high-powered hunting rifles, jet boats, helicopters, etc.).

HuffPost

Men wield power over women.

The Guardian

Don't use manipulation, possessiveness, or shame to wield power over children.

University of California, Berkeley

The days when the labels could wield power over music prices are largely gone.

The Economist

For one thing, the boards wield power over the hiring of district superintendents.

The New York Times

Large family clans wield power over their members, and Kadyrov presides over all of them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Rich wields power over poor.

The Guardian

Straight wields power over queer.

The Guardian

And we should not ignore other dimensions: white wields power over black.

The Guardian

Both women knew that Cosby wielded power over their professional lives and they behaved accordingly.

The New Yorker

His character was a wealthy businessman who wielded power over his children and over the fictional town of Pine Valley.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wield power over" to describe situations where someone or something actively uses their influence or control to affect others or a situation. For instance, "The government wields power over the economy through fiscal policy".

Common error

Avoid using "wield power over" when describing simple persuasion or suggestion. The phrase implies a significant degree of control or authority, not just a casual influence. For example, saying "He wields power over his friend's choice of lunch" is an overstatement unless he has some actual means of enforcing his preference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wield power over" functions as a verb phrase, where 'wield' acts as the verb, 'power' is the noun, and 'over' is a preposition indicating the target of the power. It describes the action of exerting control or influence over someone or something. Ludwig provides examples from reliable sources where this phrase is used to depict various forms of authority and influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wield power over" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of exerting control or influence, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans various contexts, notably in news and media, academic discourse, and formal business settings. Ludwig's examples show that the phrase is appropriate for describing formal relationships of control or authority. While alternatives like "exercise authority over" or "exert influence on" exist, "wield power over" remains a strong and direct choice for conveying the exertion of control. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase follows standard grammar rules and can be confidently used across many different types of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercise authority over

Emphasizes the formal right to control and direct.

exert influence on

Focuses on the act of applying influence rather than the possession of power.

control

A general term for having the ability to direct something.

have sway over

Indicates a more subtle form of influence, often persuasive.

dominate

Implies a more forceful and complete control.

command

Suggests direct authority and the ability to give orders.

direct

Focuses on guiding and managing the actions of others.

hold dominion over

Implies ownership or supreme control.

govern

Relates to the act of ruling or managing.

manipulate

Suggests controlling someone indirectly, often deceptively.

FAQs

How can I use "wield power over" in a sentence?

The phrase "wield power over" is used to describe the act of exerting control or influence. For example, "The manager "wields power over" the team's decisions".

What are some alternatives to "wield power over"?

You can use alternatives like "exercise authority over", "exert influence on", or "control" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "wield power over" in formal writing?

Yes, "wield power over" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and direct way to describe the exercise of authority or control, suitable for academic, business, and journalistic contexts.

What is the difference between "wield power over" and "have influence on"?

"Wield power over" implies a more direct and forceful control or authority, while "have influence on" suggests a more subtle or persuasive effect. "Wield power" often involves the ability to make decisions or enforce rules, whereas influence might simply involve shaping opinions or behaviors.