To check vs. to control

[krista]

Dear Teachers,

could somebody explain the difference?

Best wishes
krista

[Conchita]

To check is to make sure, to examine: could you check if we have paid the right amount? I asked the garage to check the brakes. Dictionaries will give you more definitions.

To control means 'to direct': to control the traffic; the firemen had difficulty in controlling the fire. Another definition of 'control' is 'to limit/to regulate': to control the imports of foreign cars.

[gypsy1900]

a not so common meaning of to check is to keep something from happening. a check rein, for example, keeps a horse's head from being raised beyond a certain point.
_________________
teachers open the doors, but the students must enter them by themselves

[gypsy1900]

examples of the verb to check meaning to stop, or to control:
1.An action or influence that stops motion or expression; a restraint: Heavy rains were a check on the army's advance.

2.The condition of being stopped or held back; restraint: kept my temper in check; holding agricultural pests in check with sprays.

3.An abrupt stop in forward movement or progress; a halt.
_________________
teachers open the doors, but the students must enter them by themselves

[Yankee]

Hi gypsy1900

Yes, that's right. Check can also be used with the meaning of 'stop' or 'restrain'. There's also the expression 'to keep in check'.

There are some good example sentences included with the definitions of check here.

Amy
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English