within the control of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within the control of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is managed or regulated by a particular person or entity. Example: "The budget for the project is within the control of the finance department, ensuring all expenses are monitored closely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But choice is within the control of the individual.

The New York Times - Science

None of that was within the control of Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

"But preventing this unintended consequence is clearly within the control of New York City".

The New York Times

Because these are within the control of employees and management, they are persistent.

Harvard Business Review

These strategic choices are all largely within the control of a platform designer.

Harvard Business Review

I know that not every problem is within the control of the rail companies or Network Rail.

The Guardian - Money

Marriage and family life were almost exclusively within the control of the Roman Catholic Church and governed by canon law.

Britannica

We have come to recognize that forces not within the control of the poor contribute to their poverty.

The New York Times

The causes are numerous, and only some of them are plausibly within the control of faculty or administrators.

The Washington Post

Such art is entirely within the control of the poker-faced man with the serious purse.

Independent

The single most important factor, also well within the control of a surgeon, is tunnel placement.

Arthroscopy Techniques

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within the control of" to clearly indicate who or what has the power to manage or influence a situation or outcome. For instance, "The project's success is within the control of the project manager."

Common error

Avoid using "within the control of" when the subject only has influence, not direct control. For instance, don't say, "The weather is within the control of the farmer"; instead, consider "The farmer's success is heavily influenced by the weather."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within the control of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is managed, regulated, or influenced by a specific entity. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which showcase varied applications across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

29%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within the control of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is managed or regulated by a particular person or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used across various domains, including news, academia, and science. Its frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Harvard University highlight its reliability and versatility. When using this phrase, ensure you're accurately attributing control and not simply influence. Alternatives such as "under the jurisdiction of" or "governed by" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the jurisdiction of

Indicates legal or official authority; slightly more formal.

subject to the authority of

Emphasizes the power or right to give orders and enforce obedience.

under the management of

Highlights the act of supervising and directing resources or efforts.

under the direction of

Focuses on guidance and instruction being provided.

governed by

Implies a system of rules or principles is being applied.

in the hands of

Suggests possession or control.

at the discretion of

Highlights the freedom to make decisions.

subject to the decisions of

Focuses on the role of someone making decisions

liable to be controlled by

Emphasizes the potential for control.

amenable to the control of

Implies readiness or willingness to be controlled.

FAQs

How can I use "within the control of" in a sentence?

Use "within the control of" to specify which entity or individual has the ability to manage or regulate something. For example: "The budget is "under the authority of" the finance department."

What are some alternatives to saying "within the control of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "under the jurisdiction of", "governed by", or "in the hands of".

Is it correct to say something is "out of the control of" someone?

Yes, the opposite of "within the control of" is "out of the control of", which indicates that someone or something lacks the ability to manage or influence a situation.

What's the difference between "within the control of" and "influenced by"?

"Within the control of" implies direct management or regulation, whereas "influenced by" suggests a factor that affects something without direct control. For example: A company’s reputation is influenced by social media, but its budget is "under the management of" the finance department.