sway
B2Formal, informal, and literary contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To move slowly and rhythmically from side to side or back and forth.
To exert influence or control over someone's opinions, decisions, or actions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb can be both intransitive (the trees sway) and transitive (to sway public opinion). The noun form denotes influence or power.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Slight variations in collocation frequency.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably common in both varieties. Perhaps slightly more frequent in American English in political/journalistic contexts (e.g., 'sway voters').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sway] (intransitive)[Sway] + object (transitive)[Sway] + [person] + [prepositional phrase] (e.g., sway someone to/from a decision)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hold sway (to have great influence or control)”
- “Sway in the balance (to be undecided or in a precarious state)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe influencing decisions or markets (e.g., 'The report swayed the board's vote').
Academic
Used in social sciences to describe influence over beliefs or behaviors (e.g., 'Factors that sway voter choice').
Everyday
Used for physical movement (e.g., 'The branches swayed') or personal influence (e.g., 'Don't let him sway you').
Technical
Used in engineering/physics for controlled oscillation or lateral movement (e.g., 'Bridge sway mitigation').
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The ancient druids were said to hold sway over the region.
- He felt the gentle sway of the ship on the calm sea.
American English
- The union leaders have considerable sway with the management.
- The sway of the skyscraper during the storm was alarming.
verb
British English
- The crowd began to sway and sing along.
- He was not swayed by their flattery.
- The politician tried to sway voters with new promises.
American English
- The palm trees sway in the tropical breeze.
- The jury was swayed by the emotional testimony.
- We mustn't let lobbyists sway our environmental policy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The tall grass sways in the wind.
- She swayed to the music.
- The dancer swayed gracefully across the stage.
- His strong argument swayed my opinion.
- The leader's charisma holds considerable sway over his followers.
- The bridge is designed to sway slightly in high winds for safety.
- The conglomerate's economic sway allows it to influence regulatory decisions.
- Historical narratives are often swayed by the perspectives of the victors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SWAYing tree SWAYing your opinion – both move from one side to another.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFLUENCE IS PHYSICAL FORCE/MOVEMENT (e.g., 'swayed by his arguments'), UNCERTAINTY IS UNSTEADY MOVEMENT (e.g., 'swaying between two choices').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from качать/качаться for non-physical influence. Use 'influence' or 'persuade'.
- The noun 'sway' (influence) is not the same as размах (scope/scale).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sway' as a direct synonym for 'move' without the rhythmic, side-to-side connotation.
- Incorrect: 'The car swayed quickly down the road.' (Use 'swerved' or 'sped').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'sway' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral; appropriate in both formal (sway opinion) and informal (sway your hips) contexts.
'Sway' implies a slower, looser, often side-to-side movement (trees, people standing). 'Swing' implies a more anchored, pendular motion (a swing, a door).
Yes. As a noun, it means 'influence' (political sway) or 'a swaying movement' (the sway of the train).
It means 'to have a lot of influence or control over people or a situation' (e.g., 'Traditional beliefs still hold sway in the village.').