Quick Definition
Control (noun) is the ability or power to direct, manage, or regulate something or someone. To control (verb) means to direct how something behaves or develops. Example: She has excellent control over her emotions.
What Does Control Mean?
Control entered English in the 15th century from the Anglo-French contreroule, meaning a duplicate register used to verify accounts — the idea being that you check one roll against another to ensure accuracy. This gave rise to the broader modern sense of regulation and authority over something.
The Latin root contra (against) combined with rotulus (a small wheel or roll) is also the ancestor of words such as controller, controllable, and the British spelling controlling. The original notion of double-checking evolved into the modern meaning of having power over a process or situation.
In contemporary English, control spans a very wide range of contexts: technology (remote control), psychology (self-control), business (quality control), and everyday emotion management (lose control, stay in control).
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| The teacher asked the children to control the noise. | A2 — verb, basic object |
| She has excellent control over her emotions. | B1 — noun, key phrase “control over” |
| The fire was out of control before the firefighters arrived. | B1 — fixed phrase “out of control” |
| The government introduced new measures to control inflation. | B2 — verb in formal/economic context |
| Researchers use a control group to ensure the results of an experiment are valid. | C1 — noun, academic/scientific register |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| take control | She took control of the situation immediately. |
| lose control | He lost control of the car on the icy road. |
| gain control | The team worked hard to gain control of the match. |
| keep / maintain control | The manager maintained control throughout the crisis. |
| under control | Don’t worry — everything is under control. |
| out of control | The costs are completely out of control. |
| self-control | It takes great self-control to remain calm when you are angry. |
| quality control | The factory has strict quality control procedures. |
| remote control | He changed the channel with the remote control. |
| damage control | The company went into damage control after the scandal. |
Usage Notes
- Noun + preposition: Use control of when referring to possession of authority (control of the company) and control over when emphasising dominance or influence (control over her emotions). Both are correct; control over is more common in personal or emotional contexts.
- Verb object: Control as a verb is transitive — it always takes a direct object: control the temperature, control your breathing. You cannot say control without specifying what is being controlled.
- Double consonant in British English: In British English, the final l is doubled before suffixes beginning with a vowel: controlled, controlling, controller. American English uses a single l: controlled (same), but controlling is identical in both varieties.
- Scientific register: In research and academic writing, a control (noun) refers to a baseline condition against which experimental results are measured. This is a specialist use that learners at C1+ should recognise.
- False friend warning: In several European languages, the cognate of control means simply "to check" or "to inspect". In English, control implies authority and power over something — closer to manage or regulate than to check.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
She can’t control on her temper.
She can’t control her temper. (control is transitive — no preposition after the verb)
The police took the control of the area.
The police took control of the area. (no article before control in this fixed phrase)
Everything is in control.
Everything is under control. (the fixed phrase is “under control”, not “in control”)
Related Words
Practise This Word
Frequently Asked Questions about “control”
What does control mean in English?
Control means the power or ability to direct, manage, or regulate something. As a noun: 'She lost control of the car.' As a verb: 'He tried to control his temper.' It implies authority and the capacity to make something behave in a certain way.
Is control a noun or a verb?
Control is both a noun and a verb. As a noun it refers to the power or authority to manage something ('under strict control'). As a verb it means to direct or manage something ('to control costs'). The noun and verb forms are identical in spelling.
What is the difference between control and manage?
Both words involve directing something, but control implies power over something to prevent undesired outcomes, while manage suggests organising or handling tasks and people effectively. You control a fire (prevent it spreading) but manage a team (organise and lead it). The words overlap significantly in business contexts.
What are common collocations with control?
Common collocations include: take control, lose control, gain control, keep control, strict control, remote control, quality control, self-control, under control, out of control, damage control, and birth control. These fixed phrases are essential for natural-sounding English.
What is the difference between control and check?
In British English, check usually means to verify or examine ('check your work'). Control implies active regulation or authority over something ('passport control', 'quality control'). In some European languages the cognate of 'control' is used to mean 'check', which can cause interference errors for ESL learners.
How do you use control as a verb?
Use control as a transitive verb followed directly by its object: 'She controls her breathing.' You can also use it with reflexive pronouns: 'He couldn't control himself.' Common patterns include control + noun ('control the situation') and control + how/what/where clauses ('he couldn't control what happened next').
What does out of control mean?
Out of control means that something or someone can no longer be managed or regulated. It is used for situations that have become chaotic or dangerous: 'The fire was out of control', 'The costs have gone completely out of control.' The opposite phrase is under control.
What is the origin of the word control?
Control comes from the Anglo-French contreroule, meaning a register kept in duplicate for verification. This derives from contre- (against, counter) and rolle (roll, register). The word entered English in the 15th century. The original meaning was to check accounts against a duplicate — hence the idea of verification and regulation.
What is self-control in English?
Self-control is the ability to manage your own emotions, desires, and behaviour, especially in difficult situations. It is a compound noun and is hyphenated. Example: 'She showed remarkable self-control during the argument.' Synonyms include self-discipline and restraint.
How can I practise using control in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise control in context. Flash Cards will help you learn key collocations such as take control, lose control, and under control. Reading news articles about business or politics is also an excellent way to see control used in authentic contexts.