control
control
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "control" is /kənˈtroʊl/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
kən:
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/ə/: Schwa (mid-central vowel)
/n/: Alveolar nasal
ˈtroʊl:
/t/: Voiceless alveolar stop
/r/: Voiced alveolar approximant
/oʊ/: Diphthong (as in "goat")
/l/: Alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
Control" functions as both a noun and a verb.
Noun Forms:
Singular: control (e.g., "She has excellent control over her emotions.")
Plural: controls (e.g., "The airplane's controls are complex.")
Verb Forms:
Base Form: control (e.g., "You must control your temper.")
Third-person singular present: controls (e.g., "He controls the budget.")
Present participle: controlling (e.g., "She is controlling the situation.")
Past tense: controlled (e.g., "They controlled the spread of the fire.")
Past participle: controlled (e.g., "The crowd was controlled by security.")
Related Forms:
Adjective: controllable (e.g., "The situation is controllable.")
Adjective: controlling (e.g., "He has a controlling personality.")
Adjective: controlled (e.g., "A controlled environment.")
Adverb: controllably (e.g., "He shook controllably.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun Definitions
The power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events.
Synonyms: Authority, command, power, mastery, dominion, jurisdiction, sway
Antonyms: Lack of control, powerlessness, helplessness, anarchy, chaos
A means of restraint or regulation.
Synonyms: Regulation, restriction, limitation, check, restraint, throttle, lever
Antonyms: Freedom, deregulation, license, abandonment
(Often in plural) A device or mechanism used to operate a machine or system.
Synonyms: Mechanism, button, dial, lever, switch, instrument panel
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a mechanism itself)
Verb Definitions
To determine the behavior or supervise the running of.
Synonyms: Manage, direct, command, govern, regulate, operate, supervise
Antonyms: Release, surrender, relinquish, abandon, neglect, follow
To limit or regulate (something); to restrain.
Synonyms: Restrain, curb, check, limit, regulate, restrict, suppress
Antonyms: Unleash, release, permit, allow, encourage, intensify
Examples of Use
Books
"You have control over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, c. 180 CE)
"The narrative explored the struggle for control within the dysfunctional family." (Common in psychological thrillers or family dramas)
Newspapers and Online Publications
"Central banks are raising interest rates to control inflation." (The Wall Street Journal)
"New regulations aim to increase government control over social media platforms." (The Guardian)
"Effective pest control strategies are essential for sustainable agriculture." (National Geographic)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In Inception (2010), the concept of control over one's dreams and reality is central to the plot.
Television: "He lost control of the car on the icy road, leading to a dramatic crash." (Heard in action sequences or news reports)
Music: Many songs feature lyrics about losing control or wanting to regain control in relationships or life.
Video Games: Players use various controls (joysticks, keyboards, mice) to interact with and control their characters or vehicles.
General Public Discourse
"Keep your emotions in control." (Common advice for managing feelings)
"Who's in control of the project now?" (Asking about leadership or authority)
"Could you please pass me the remote control?" (Referring to a device)
"He has remarkable self-control when faced with temptations." (Commending a person's discipline)
10 Quotes Using Control
"You have control over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations)
"He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still." (Lao Tzu)
"Whoever controls the media, controls the mind." (Jim Morrison)
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four)
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." (Mario Andretti)
"The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you're in control of your life. If you don't, life controls you." (Tony Robbins)
"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." (Maya Angelou)
"Control your own destiny or someone else will." (Jack Welch)
"Anger is a momentary madness, so control your passion or it will control you." (G. M. Trevelyan)
"The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don't have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it." (Chris Pine)
Etymology
The word "control" comes from the Old French word "contrerolle," which referred to a "duplicate register" or a "counter-roll" used to verify accounts. This was essentially a second copy of records used to check the first one for accuracy.
This Old French term derived from Medieval Latin "contrarotulus," meaning "a counter-roll." It's a combination of "contra" (meaning "against") and "rotulus" (meaning "a roll" or "scroll," like a list of accounts).
So, at its root, "control" is about checking something against another record to verify its accuracy or regulate it.
The first known use of "control" in English, appearing around the late 14th century, referred to a duplicate account book used to verify a primary one. From this specific accounting sense, it quickly evolved by the 15th century to the broader meaning of having authority over or regulating something, as in keeping it in check or under supervision.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Control
Under control: Managed or regulated successfully.
Example: "The fire was quickly brought under control."
Lose control: To cease to be able to manage or direct something.
Example: "The driver lost control of the car on the icy road."
Out of control: Beyond management or regulation; chaotic.
Example: "The party got completely out of control."
In control: Having the power or ability to direct something.
Example: "She is firmly in control of the project."
Self-control: The ability to restrain one's own emotions, desires, or actions.
Example: "He showed remarkable self-control during the heated debate."
Remote control: A device used to operate something from a distance.
Example: "Where's the TV remote control?"
Have the upper hand: (An idiom meaning to have an advantage or a position of control).
Example: "After the discovery, they finally had the upper hand in negotiations."
Pull the strings: (An idiom meaning to control something or someone secretly).
Example: "Many suspected he was just a puppet, and someone else was pulling the strings."
Keep a tight rein on: (An idiom meaning to keep strict control over something).
Example: "The manager had to keep a tight rein on the budget this quarter."
Call the shots: (An idiom meaning to be in charge and make the decisions).
Example: "He likes to call the shots in the team."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of control from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
