controls
controls — noun
1. rules, actions, or authority used to direct what people do or to keep something
rules, actions, or authority used to direct what people do or to keep something within set limits
The board kept tight controls on spending after last year's heavy losses.
tight controls on + noun
Border controls grew stricter before the holiday crowds reached the capital.
The new owner wants clearer controls over who enters the warehouse.
Teachers added simple controls on phone use during final exams.
- restrictions
focuses more on limiting freedom than on active management
- regulations
usually refers to official written rules
- supervision
emphasizes watching and directing people closely
文法句型
tight controls on + activity
controls over + person/area
controls on + use/spending
用法筆記
Often used for formal rules or official power rather than one person's private influence.
常見錯誤
2. buttons, keys, levers, or similar parts used to operate a machine, vehicle, or c
buttons, keys, levers, or similar parts used to operate a machine, vehicle, or computer system
Putri checked the heating controls before the children entered the bus.
heating controls on a vehicle
The pilot kept one hand near the controls during the rough landing.
The washing machine controls are easier to read after the new labels.
Use the keyboard controls to copy the file quickly.
文法句型
heating controls
near the controls
keyboard controls
用法筆記
This sense refers to the parts you touch or press to make something work. It also includes control keys on a keyboard.
常見錯誤
3. unchanged people, objects, or groups in a test that provide a standard for compa
unchanged people, objects, or groups in a test that provide a standard for comparison
The researchers kept two controls unchanged throughout the six-week study.
controls unchanged in an experiment
Results from the controls were compared with the plants given extra light.
Every lab group recorded the temperature of its controls before lunch.
Without proper controls, the class experiment proved very hard to trust.
- comparison group
close equivalent, especially in research writing
- baseline group
emphasizes the standard starting point for judging change
文法句型
keep controls unchanged
compare with the controls
record the controls
用法筆記
Most common in science and medicine. The controls do not receive the change or treatment being tested.
常見錯誤
4. official limits set by a government on prices, wages, or similar economic activi
official limits set by a government on prices, wages, or similar economic activity
Wartime price controls kept bread affordable for most families in the city.
price controls
The union protested wage controls that froze pay for another year.
Rent controls pushed some landlords to delay repairs on older flats.
Voters argued about fuel controls during the town hall debate.
- caps
emphasizes a maximum allowed level
- regulation
broader and not always about fixed limits on price or pay
- limits
simpler and more general, without the policy nuance
文法句型
price controls
wage controls
rent controls
用法筆記
Usually discussed in economics or politics, especially when the government fixes or limits prices, rents, or wages.
常見錯誤
controls — verb
1. to direct, limit, or keep someone or something behaving in the way you want
to direct, limit, or keep someone or something behaving in the way you want
The software controls the room temperature during the night shift.
control + system or process
Soraya controls the class with a calm voice and clear rules.
A small valve controls how fast the water leaves the tank.
The company controls access to the files with two-step login.
文法句型
controls + process/system
controls + access/behaviour
controls + how-clause
用法筆記
Often followed by an object such as access, temperature, spending, or behaviour. It can also describe managing a process with rules or equipment.
常見錯誤
2. to test an experiment by keeping comparison groups or conditions unchanged
to test an experiment by keeping comparison groups or conditions unchanged
The team controls every trial by leaving one sample in plain water.
control a trial by leaving one sample unchanged
A careful researcher controls the study with a separate untreated group.
The teacher shows how a fair test controls each variable.
This lab controls the experiment by keeping both rooms at the same temperature.
- standardize
broader and less tied to a comparison group
- check
more general and less technical
文法句型
controls + trial/study
controls + experiment by + -ing
controls + variable
用法筆記
Usually used in technical or academic writing. The object is an experiment, study, or variable, and the method is to include unchanged conditions or comparison groups.