"Check" is to verify or examine; "control" is to have power over something, not merely inspect it.
To examine, verify, or confirm the state of something. Can be quick or systematic.
Let me check the weather before we head out.
Dejame verificar el clima antes de que salgamos.
Can you check if the door is locked? I think I forgot.
¿Puedes revisar si la puerta esta cerrada con llave? Creo que olvide.
The doctor checked his blood pressure twice.
El medico le reviso la presion arterial dos veces.
To have authority or power over something. To regulate, direct, or manage. Does NOT mean simply inspect.
The government controls the price of basic goods in this country.
El gobierno controla el precio de los bienes basicos en este pais.
She could not control her emotions when she heard the news.
Ella no pudo controlar sus emociones cuando escucho la noticia.
The pilot lost control of the aircraft due to the storm.
El piloto perdio el control de la aeronave debido a la tormenta.
Common mistake
The classic false cognate: in Spanish "controlar" can mean both "to have power over" and "to check/verify". In English, "control" only means to have power or authority. For verifying or inspecting, the word is "check". "I will control the document" in English means you will take authority over it, not that you will review it.
Trick to remember it
Substitution test: can you replace it with "inspect" or "verify"? Use "check". Can you replace it with "have authority over" or "direct"? Use "control". "Check the document" = review it. "Control the document" = govern access to or regulate the document.
Quick rule
Check = verify / inspect. Control = have authority / power over something.
Did you know?
"Check" in the context of chess comes from Persian "shah" (king). When the king is threatened, you announce "check". "Checkmate" = "shah mat" in Persian = "the king is dead / immobilized". From there "check" in English took on the meaning of "verifying that something is constrained / confirmed".
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
Could you _____ that the oven is off before we leave? I am not sure I turned it off.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The remote area is difficult to _____ from the capital. Communication is very limited.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Check = verify / inspect. Control = have authority / power over something.
The classic false cognate: in Spanish "controlar" can mean both "to have power over" and "to check/verify". In English, "control" only means to have power or authority. For verifying or inspecting, the word is "check". "I will control the document" in English means you will take authority over it, not that you will review it.
Substitution test: can you replace it with "inspect" or "verify"? Use "check". Can you replace it with "have authority over" or "direct"? Use "control". "Check the document" = review it. "Control the document" = govern access to or regulate the document.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy