What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
govern
Example
The president is responsible for governing the country. [governing: verb]
Example
The company has strict policies that govern employee behavior. [govern: verb]
control
Example
The manager has control over the budget. [control: noun]
Example
She tried to control her emotions during the interview. [control: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Control is more commonly used than govern in everyday language. Control is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while govern is more specific and often used in formal or political contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between govern and control?
Govern is generally considered more formal than control. It is often used in political or legal contexts where precision and formality are important. Control, on the other hand, can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
