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A2 verb #426 más común 13 min de lectura

dominate

Top 426

At the A1 level, you can think of 'dominate' as a word for being the 'boss' or being the 'biggest' thing in a group. Imagine a game of football where one team is much better and has the ball all the time. They 'dominate' the game. Or think of a very tall tree in a small garden. That tree 'dominates' the garden because it is the first thing you see. It is about being the most important or the most visible. You might use it to talk about your favorite sports team winning easily. It is a big word, but the idea is simple: one thing is much stronger or bigger than the others. You can use it when you see one person talking a lot and not letting others speak. Just remember, it means 'to be the main one.'

For A2 learners, 'dominate' is a useful verb to describe power and visibility. You will often see it in sports news or when talking about famous buildings. If a team 'dominates' a match, they are in control and the other team cannot do much. If a mountain 'dominates' the view, it is the most impressive part of the landscape. You can also use it for people. If someone 'dominates' a conversation, they are the one doing all the talking. It is important to notice that we usually don't use 'with' or 'over' after it. We just say 'dominate the game' or 'dominate the room.' It shows that something is very strong or very easy to see compared to everything else around it.

At the B1 level, you should start using 'dominate' in more abstract ways, such as in business or social trends. For example, you might say that a certain company 'dominates the market,' meaning they have the most customers and power. You can also use it to describe how an idea or a topic is the most important part of a discussion. 'The news about the environment dominated the headlines today.' This means it was the most important story. You should also be comfortable using the passive voice: 'The city's history is dominated by its industrial past.' This means the industrial past is the most significant part of its history. It is a versatile word for describing anything that is the primary or most influential factor in a situation.

At the B2 level, 'dominate' becomes a key word for analyzing power dynamics and influence in various fields. You can use it to discuss complex topics like genetics (dominant genes), sociology (dominant cultures), or economics (market dominance). You should understand the nuance that 'dominating' can sometimes be negative, implying a lack of balance or the suppression of others. For instance, in a group project, if one person dominates, the project might suffer because other ideas aren't heard. You can also use it to describe psychological states, such as when a single emotion like 'anxiety' dominates a person's life. At this level, you should be able to use the word accurately in both formal reports and informal debates, recognizing its strength and impact.

For C1 learners, 'dominate' is used to describe subtle and pervasive forms of influence. You might use it in academic writing to discuss how certain ideologies 'dominate' a particular historical period or how specific variables 'dominate' a scientific model. It is often used to describe the way a particular discourse or narrative controls how people think about a subject. You should also be aware of related terms like 'hegemony' or 'predominance' and know when 'dominate' is the more appropriate choice. At this level, you can use the word to describe how a specific aesthetic or style 'dominates' an artist's work, showing a deep understanding of how one element can define an entire body of work. It is about identifying the core force that shapes a complex system.

At the C2 level, 'dominate' is a precise tool for critiquing and deconstructing structures of power and visibility. You might use it to discuss how globalized Western culture 'dominates' local traditions, or how algorithmic bias can 'dominate' the information we receive online. You can use it in highly sophisticated contexts, such as describing how a particular philosophical framework 'dominates' modern ethics. At this level, you are expected to use the word with perfect grammatical accuracy and to understand its deep connotations in political science, philosophy, and high-level literary criticism. It is not just about being 'the biggest'; it is about the systemic and often invisible ways that one force can define the limits and possibilities of an entire field or society.

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

dominate en 30 segundos

Dominate means to have control or power over others, often seen in sports, business, or politics where one side is much stronger.
It also describes being the most noticeable or important feature, like a tall building that stands out in a city skyline.
In social situations, it can mean talking too much or not letting others participate, which is often viewed as a negative trait.
The word is versatile, moving from physical height and strength to abstract ideas, themes, and market shares in various professional fields.

The verb dominate is a powerful word used to describe a situation where one person, group, or thing has a significant amount of control, influence, or visibility over others. At its core, it suggests a lack of balance because one side is much stronger or more noticeable than the rest. In everyday conversation, you might hear it used in sports to describe a team that is winning easily, or in business to describe a company that sells more products than all its competitors combined. It is not just about physical strength; it is about presence and impact. When a tall skyscraper stands in the middle of a city of small houses, we say the building dominates the skyline. When one person talks so much in a meeting that no one else can speak, that person is dominating the conversation. Understanding this word requires looking at the context of power dynamics and visual prominence.

Control and Power: This is the most common usage, referring to having authority or the upper hand in a struggle or competition.

The Roman Empire used to dominate much of Europe and North Africa for centuries.

Beyond physical or political control, the word is frequently used in the world of biology and nature. In an ecosystem, a certain species might dominate the landscape because it has no natural predators. Similarly, in genetics, a dominant trait is one that appears in the offspring even if only one parent contributes it. This concept of 'prevailing' or 'being the most frequent' is essential. If you look at a painting and the color blue is everywhere, you can say that blue dominates the color palette. This usage shifts the focus from 'power' to 'prevalence.' It is a versatile word that moves easily from the battlefield to the art gallery, always carrying the weight of being the 'most' of something.

Visual Prominence: Used when an object is the most noticeable thing in a view or a landscape.

The massive mountain peaks dominate the horizon of the small village.

In social settings, the word often carries a slightly negative connotation if it refers to a person's behavior. If someone dominates a discussion, it implies they are not letting others contribute, which can be seen as rude or overbearing. However, in professional or competitive contexts, dominating is often seen as a sign of success. A business that dominates its market is seen as a leader. A basketball player who dominates the court is praised for their skill and athleticism. The nuance of the word depends heavily on whether the 'dominance' is perceived as earned excellence or unfair suppression of others. This duality makes it a rich word for describing complex human and natural interactions.

She has a very strong personality and tends to dominate every social gathering she attends.

Market Leadership: In economics, this refers to a company having the largest share of sales or influence in an industry.

Tech giants often dominate the global software market through innovation and acquisition.

During the rainy season, dark clouds dominate the sky for weeks at a time.

Using the word dominate correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature. In most cases, it is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object. You dominate *something* or *someone*. For example, 'The team dominated the game.' Here, 'the game' is the object being dominated. You should avoid adding prepositions like 'over' after the verb in modern standard English, although you might see 'dominate over' in older texts or specific poetic contexts. Usually, 'dominate' is sufficient on its own to convey the relationship of power. It can be used in various tenses: 'He dominates' (present), 'They dominated' (past), and 'She will dominate' (future). The progressive form 'dominating' is also very common when describing an ongoing state of affairs, such as 'The company is currently dominating the smartphone industry.'

Active Voice: The subject is the one doing the controlling or being the most prominent.

The champion continued to dominate the tennis circuit for over a decade.

The passive voice is also frequently used with 'dominate,' especially when the focus is on the thing being controlled or overshadowed. In this structure, we use 'be dominated by.' For instance, 'The conversation was dominated by the manager.' This shifts the emphasis to the conversation itself. In architectural descriptions, you might say, 'The skyline is dominated by the new tower.' This is a very common way to describe landscapes and visual scenes. When using the passive voice, it often highlights a sense of being overwhelmed or eclipsed by a larger or more powerful force. This is particularly useful in academic writing or journalism where the result of the dominance is more important than the actor itself.

Passive Voice: The subject is the one being controlled or overshadowed.

The local economy is dominated by the tourism industry.

Another important aspect of using 'dominate' is its application in abstract contexts. You can dominate an idea, a field of study, or even a period of time. For example, 'Romanticism dominated the literary world in the 19th century.' This doesn't mean Romanticism was a person with hands to control things; rather, it was the most influential and widespread style. Similarly, a single emotion can dominate a person's thoughts: 'Fear began to dominate his mind as the storm grew closer.' In these cases, 'dominate' acts as a synonym for 'pervade' or 'preoccupy,' but with a stronger sense of total control. It suggests that there is little room for anything else to exist or be noticed.

Issues of national security dominate the political debate this year.

Abstract Influence: When an idea, theme, or emotion is the most prominent element in a situation.

The theme of loss dominates the author's later poetry.

Small businesses struggle when a few large corporations dominate the market.

The word dominate is a staple in several specific domains, and hearing it in these contexts can help you grasp its full range of meaning. One of the most common places is in sports broadcasting. Commentators often use it to describe a player or a team that is significantly better than their opponent during a specific game or throughout a season. You might hear, 'The Lakers dominated the first half,' which means they played much better, scored more points, and controlled the flow of the game. In this setting, 'dominate' is almost always a positive attribute, signaling excellence, physical superiority, and strategic success. It evokes a sense of total mastery over the field of play.

Sports Commentary: Used to describe overwhelming athletic superiority and control of a match.

The sprinter managed to dominate the race from the very first second.

Another frequent environment for this word is the business and financial news. Journalists and analysts use 'dominate' to describe market share and competitive landscapes. If a company like Google or Amazon is discussed, the word 'dominate' is frequently used to explain their position relative to smaller competitors. For example, 'The company continues to dominate the search engine market.' In this context, the word often carries a more neutral or even cautionary tone, sometimes leading into discussions about monopolies or the need for regulation. It describes a structural reality of the economy where one entity has more power than others.

Business News: Used to describe a company's superior position and influence in an industry.

A few major airlines dominate the domestic travel routes in this country.

In academic and scientific discussions, 'dominate' is used to describe prevalence and primary factors. A biologist might talk about a 'dominant species' in a forest, meaning the species that is most numerous or has the greatest impact on the environment. A historian might say that 'the church dominated medieval life,' meaning that the church was the most influential institution of that time. In these cases, the word is used to identify the most important variable in a complex system. It helps researchers and students focus on the primary driver of a situation, whether it is a biological organism or a social ideology.

Oak trees dominate the forest canopy in this part of the state.

Academic Context: Used to identify the primary or most influential element in a study or history.

Traditional values still dominate the social structure of the rural community.

High pressure will dominate the weather pattern for the rest of the week.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with the word dominate is confusing it with its adjective form, 'dominant.' While they are related, they serve different grammatical functions. 'Dominate' is an action or a state (a verb), whereas 'dominant' is a description (an adjective). For example, you should say 'The team is dominant' (adjective) or 'The team dominates the league' (verb). Saying 'The team is dominate' is grammatically incorrect. Another common error involves the use of prepositions. Many learners feel the need to say 'dominate over someone.' In modern English, 'dominate' is almost always used without 'over.' You simply 'dominate someone.' Adding 'over' is redundant and can make your English sound slightly dated or non-native.

Verb vs. Adjective: Confusing 'dominate' (the action) with 'dominant' (the characteristic).

Incorrect: He is very dominate in meetings. Correct: He is very dominant in meetings.

Another mistake is using 'dominate' when 'control' or 'manage' might be more appropriate. 'Dominate' implies a very high level of power or being the only thing people notice. If you are just managing a small project, saying you 'dominate' the project might sound like you are being too aggressive or that you are exaggerating your role. Use 'dominate' only when there is a clear sense of overwhelming superiority or visibility. Furthermore, in the context of people, be careful with the tone. Dominating a conversation is usually viewed as a negative trait because it means you are not listening to others. If you want to describe someone who is a good leader, 'lead' or 'guide' might be better choices than 'dominate,' which can sound oppressive.

Preposition Overuse: Adding 'over' after 'dominate' is usually unnecessary in modern English.

Incorrect: They dominate over the market. Correct: They dominate the market.

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the passive voice construction. Remember that when something is being dominated, we use 'by.' A common mistake is using 'from' or 'with.' For example, 'The skyline is dominated with the tower' is incorrect; it should be 'The skyline is dominated by the tower.' This 'by' indicates the agent or the thing that is doing the dominating. Paying attention to these small grammatical details will help you use the word more naturally and accurately in both written and spoken English. Always consider the intensity of the word before using it to ensure it fits the situation you are describing.

Incorrect: The scene was dominated from the mountain. Correct: The scene was dominated by the mountain.

Tone Misjudgment: Using 'dominate' in situations where a softer word like 'influence' or 'lead' is more appropriate.

She doesn't just lead the group; she tends to dominate every decision they make.

The news cycle was dominated by the election results for several days.

While dominate is a very versatile word, there are many synonyms that can provide more specific meaning depending on the context. If you are talking about power and control, words like 'command,' 'rule,' or 'govern' might be useful. 'Command' suggests a formal authority, often in a military or professional sense. 'Rule' and 'govern' are typically used for political control over a country or region. If the control is unfair or harsh, you might use 'oppress' or 'tyrannize.' These words carry a much stronger negative weight than 'dominate' and imply that the power is being used to hurt or limit others. Choosing the right word helps you convey the exact 'flavor' of the control you are describing.

Dominate vs. Control: 'Control' is more neutral and can be small-scale. 'Dominate' implies a much larger, more obvious superiority.

While he controls the budget, his boss dominates the entire company's strategy.

In visual contexts, where 'dominate' means being the most noticeable thing, you could use 'overshadow,' 'dwarf,' or 'tower over.' 'Overshadow' is particularly interesting because it can be used both literally (casting a shadow) and figuratively (making something else seem less important). For example, 'The tall building overshadows the park.' 'Dwarf' is used when something is so much larger that it makes everything else look tiny. 'Tower over' is great for describing height specifically. If you are talking about an idea or a theme being the most common, you might use 'prevail' or 'predominate.' 'Prevail' often suggests a struggle that was won, while 'predominate' is very similar to 'dominate' but often used in more technical or statistical contexts.

Dominate vs. Prevail: 'Prevail' means to be victorious after a contest; 'dominate' means to be clearly superior throughout.

Truth will eventually prevail, even if lies dominate the current conversation.

In social situations, if you want to avoid the negative connotations of 'dominate,' you might use 'lead,' 'influence,' or 'guide.' These words suggest a more collaborative or positive form of power. For instance, 'She leads the discussion' sounds much more inclusive than 'She dominates the discussion.' On the other hand, if you want to emphasize the sheer volume of someone's presence, 'monopolize' is a great alternative. To 'monopolize someone's time' means to take it all for yourself, leaving none for others. Understanding these nuances allows you to be more precise in your descriptions and to better match your word choice to your intended tone and meaning.

He didn't just join the talk; he tried to monopolize the speaker's attention all evening.

Dominate vs. Overshadow: 'Overshadow' implies that the dominance is taking attention away from something else that also deserves it.

The scandal overshadowed the athlete's incredible performance on the field.

In this region, agriculture predominates as the main source of income.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"The corporation's strategic acquisitions allow it to dominate the regional telecommunications sector."

Neutral

"The tall oak tree dominates the center of the garden."

Informal

"Our team totally dominated them in the second half!"

Child friendly

"The big mountain is the boss of the view; it dominates the whole valley."

Jerga

"He's just dominating right now, no one can touch him."

Dato curioso

The word 'domino' (as in the game) is actually related to 'dominate'. It comes from the Latin 'dominus' via the French 'domino', which was a type of hooded cape worn by priests, possibly because the black tiles resembled the cape.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ˈdɒm.ɪ.neɪt/

US /ˈdɑː.mə.neɪt/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: DOM-in-ate.

Rima con

nominate abominate predominate terminate germinate culminate eliminate illuminate

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'ate' like 'at'. It should always sound like the number 'eight'.
Stressing the second or third syllable instead of the first.
Confusing the pronunciation with the adjective 'dominant', which ends in a 'unt' sound.
Adding an extra syllable in the middle.
Mumbling the 'm' and 'n' sounds together.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

Common in news and books, usually easy to understand from context.

Escritura 4/5

Requires care with prepositions and distinguishing from 'dominant'.

Expresión oral 3/5

Very useful in many contexts, but tone must be managed.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation and common usage make it easy to spot.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

power control strong win main

Aprende después

influence hegemony predominant command overshadow

Avanzado

subjugate tyrannize prevail ascendancy paramount

Gramática que debes saber

Transitive Verbs

Dominate is transitive: 'He dominates the room' (not 'dominates in the room').

Passive Voice with 'By'

When using passive, use 'by': 'The market is dominated by big firms'.

Stative vs Dynamic

It can be stative (The mountain dominates) or dynamic (He is dominating the game).

Adjective vs Verb

Don't use 'dominate' as an adjective; use 'dominant' instead.

Gerund as Subject

Dominating the market requires a lot of capital.

Ejemplos por nivel

The big dog dominates the small park.

The big dog is the most important/visible in the park.

Present simple tense.

Our team dominated the football match.

Our team played much better than the other team.

Past simple tense.

The tall tower dominates the street.

The tower is the main thing you see on the street.

Present simple tense.

She dominates the game of chess.

She is very good and always wins at chess.

Third person singular 's'.

Does he dominate the conversation?

Does he talk more than everyone else?

Question form with 'does'.

The sun dominates the sky today.

The sun is very bright and the main thing in the sky.

Metaphorical use of dominate.

They want to dominate the world.

They want to have power over everything.

Infinitive after 'want to'.

The red color dominates the painting.

There is a lot of red in the painting.

Subject-verb agreement.

The champion managed to dominate her opponent.

The winner was much stronger than the other person.

Infinitive after 'managed to'.

Large supermarkets dominate the town center.

Most of the shops in the center are big supermarkets.

Plural subject.

He tends to dominate every meeting he attends.

He usually talks the most in every meeting.

Use of 'tends to'.

The castle dominates the hill above the city.

The castle is the most visible thing on the hill.

Descriptive present tense.

One company dominates the local phone market.

Almost everyone uses the same phone company.

Specific context: business.

The smell of coffee dominates the kitchen.

The kitchen smells mostly like coffee.

Sensory use of dominate.

She dominated the race from start to finish.

She was in the lead for the whole race.

Past tense for a completed event.

The mountains dominate the northern landscape.

The mountains are the main feature in the north.

Geographical description.

The conversation was dominated by talk of the upcoming election.

Everyone was talking about the election.

Passive voice: was dominated by.

Online retailers are starting to dominate the fashion industry.

More people are buying clothes online than in stores.

Present continuous tense.

Fear of failure can dominate a person's life.

Being afraid can control everything a person does.

Modal verb 'can'.

The skyline is dominated by a massive new skyscraper.

The new building is the most prominent feature of the city.

Passive voice in description.

A few powerful families dominate the country's politics.

A small group of families has most of the political power.

Sociopolitical context.

The theme of freedom dominates the entire novel.

Freedom is the most important idea in the book.

Literary analysis context.

They are trying to dominate the search engine market.

They want to be the main search engine people use.

Present continuous with 'trying to'.

The noise of the traffic dominates the quiet neighborhood.

The traffic is so loud you can't hear anything else.

Abstract contrast.

The market is dominated by three major players.

Three big companies control most of the market.

Passive voice with 'by'.

His personality is so strong that he often dominates his peers.

He has more influence than the people his own age.

Result clause with 'so... that'.

The need for profit should not dominate ethical concerns.

Making money shouldn't be more important than doing what is right.

Negative modal 'should not'.

The island's economy is dominated by the export of sugar.

Selling sugar is the main way the island makes money.

Economic description.

A single species of bird dominates the local ecosystem.

One type of bird is much more common than others.

Biological context.

Technological issues dominated the discussion at the conference.

Most of the talk at the meeting was about technology.

Past tense for a specific event.

She refused to let her disability dominate her life.

She didn't want her health problem to control her.

Infinitive after 'refused to let'.

The debate was dominated by arguments over tax reform.

The main part of the debate was about taxes.

Passive voice.

The discourse on climate change is dominated by scientific data.

Most of the talk about climate change uses science.

Academic register.

Western cultural norms continue to dominate global media.

Media around the world is mostly influenced by the West.

Sociological context.

The author's early works are dominated by a sense of nostalgia.

The main feeling in his first books is a longing for the past.

Passive voice in literary criticism.

It is dangerous when a single ideology dominates a nation's education system.

Having only one way of thinking in schools is risky.

Complex sentence structure.

The landscape was dominated by the ruins of the ancient temple.

The old temple was the most striking thing in the area.

Descriptive passive voice.

He has a tendency to dominate the narrative in group settings.

He usually controls the story or the way things are discussed.

Noun phrase 'tendency to dominate'.

Short-term interests often dominate long-term strategic planning.

People focus on now instead of the future.

Abstract business context.

The city's architecture is dominated by Brutalist concrete structures.

Most of the buildings are made of heavy, plain concrete.

Specialized vocabulary (Brutalist).

The hegemony of the dollar continues to dominate international trade.

The US dollar is the most powerful currency in world trade.

High-level economic terminology.

A particular paradigm of thought has come to dominate the field of psychology.

One specific way of thinking is now the main one in psychology.

Present perfect with 'come to'.

The aesthetic of the film is dominated by stark contrasts and shadows.

The movie looks very dark with bright highlights.

Artistic critique.

We must ensure that technological advancement does not dominate human values.

Tech shouldn't become more important than being human.

Ethical/Philosophical context.

The narrative of progress dominated the Victorian era's self-image.

Victorian people mostly thought of themselves as moving forward.

Historical analysis.

The political landscape is dominated by the tension between these two factions.

The main thing in politics is the fight between these two groups.

Metaphorical landscape.

The sheer scale of the project threatened to dominate all other municipal concerns.

The project was so big it made everything else seem unimportant.

Infinitive as a threat.

The discourse was dominated by a reductionist view of the human mind.

The talk simplified the mind too much.

Sophisticated academic critique.

Sinónimos

control rule govern command lead overshadow

Antónimos

submit follow yield

Colocaciones comunes

dominate the market

dominate the conversation

dominate the skyline

dominate the game

dominate the headlines

dominate the field

dominate the landscape

dominate the discussion

dominate the charts

dominate the competition

Frases Comunes

completely dominate

continue to dominate

likely to dominate

tend to dominate

strive to dominate

fail to dominate

seek to dominate

visually dominate

politically dominate

culturally dominate

Se confunde a menudo con

dominate vs dominant

Dominant is an adjective (a dominant person), while dominate is a verb (to dominate someone).

dominate vs domineer

Domineer means to control in an arrogant way; dominate is more neutral about the fact of control.

dominate vs predominate

Predominate is often used for being greater in number, while dominate is about power or visibility.

Modismos y expresiones

"dominate the airwaves"

To be heard or seen constantly on radio or television.

The politician's speeches dominated the airwaves all weekend.

journalistic

"dominate the scene"

To be the most important person or thing in a specific area of activity.

She has dominated the local art scene for twenty years.

neutral

"dominate the stage"

To be a very powerful and noticeable performer.

The lead actor really knows how to dominate the stage.

artistic

"dominate the proceedings"

To control the way a formal meeting or event happens.

The chairman dominated the proceedings with an iron fist.

formal

"dominate the thoughts"

To be the only thing someone can think about.

The upcoming exam began to dominate his every thought.

neutral

"dominate the landscape"

To be the most prominent physical feature of an area.

Wind turbines now dominate the landscape of the plains.

neutral

"dominate the narrative"

To control the story or the way an event is explained to the public.

The government tried to dominate the narrative regarding the crisis.

political

"dominate the market share"

To have a much larger portion of sales than any competitor.

They dominate the market share for electric vehicles.

business

"dominate the conversation"

To talk so much that others cannot participate.

It's hard to get a word in when he dominates the conversation.

social

"dominate the competition"

To be significantly better than everyone else in a contest.

The sprinter dominated the competition, winning by several meters.

sports

Fácil de confundir

dominate vs Control

Both involve power.

Control can be subtle or small-scale; dominate implies overwhelming superiority.

I control my computer, but Microsoft dominates the OS market.

dominate vs Rule

Both involve authority.

Rule is specifically about government or official law; dominate is about any kind of influence.

The Queen rules the country, but fashion trends dominate the culture.

dominate vs Command

Both involve being in charge.

Command implies a formal position (like a captain); dominate implies natural or earned superiority.

He commands the ship, but his personality dominates the crew.

dominate vs Overshadow

Both involve being more important.

Overshadow specifically means making something else look less significant by comparison.

The tall building dominates the sky and overshadows the small church.

dominate vs Prevail

Both involve winning.

Prevail usually means winning after a long struggle; dominate means being better the whole time.

Justice will prevail, but for now, corruption dominates the city.

Patrones de oraciones

Subject + dominate + Object

The big cat dominates the garden.

Subject + tends to + dominate + Object

He tends to dominate the talk.

Subject + is dominated by + Object

The town is dominated by the factory.

Subject + continue to + dominate + Object

They continue to dominate the league.

The discourse + is dominated by + Abstract Noun

The discourse is dominated by economic concerns.

Subject + has come to + dominate + Object

This paradigm has come to dominate the field.

It is + Adjective + to dominate + Object

It is hard to dominate this market.

Subject + should not + dominate + Object

Work should not dominate your life.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very common in news, sports, and business; moderately common in daily speech.

Errores comunes

He is very dominate. → He is very dominant.
'Dominate' is a verb; 'dominant' is the adjective you need here.
They dominate over the market. → They dominate the market.
The preposition 'over' is unnecessary and incorrect in modern English.
The view was dominated from the tower. → The view was dominated by the tower.
In the passive voice, use 'by' to indicate what is doing the dominating.
She dominates in the conversation. → She dominates the conversation.
Again, avoid adding extra prepositions like 'in' after the verb.
A dominanting performance. → A dominating performance.
Check your spelling; there is no 'n' before the 't' in the participle form.

Consejos

Avoid Prepositions

Do not use 'over' or 'with' after dominate. It is a transitive verb that takes a direct object. Say 'dominate the game', not 'dominate over the game'.

Visual Usage

Use 'dominate' when describing a landscape to highlight the most impressive feature, like a mountain or a skyscraper.

Be Careful with People

Describing a person as 'dominating' in a social setting can be an insult. Use 'charismatic' or 'leading' if you want to be positive.

Show Excellence

In sports, 'dominate' is a great word to use when one team is much better than the other. It sounds more professional than just saying 'won easily'.

Market Share

When a company has more than 50% of a market, it is almost always described as 'dominating' that market.

Passive Voice

Use the passive voice ('is dominated by') when you want to focus on the thing that is being controlled or overshadowed.

Species and Genes

Remember that 'dominant' is the adjective used in science, while 'dominate' is the verb for the action of being the main species.

Headlines

When a story is everywhere on the news, say it 'dominates the headlines'. This is a very common journalistic phrase.

Thoughts and Feelings

You can say a feeling 'dominates' your mind if you can't stop thinking about it. This is a very expressive way to describe strong emotions.

Skyline

The phrase 'dominate the skyline' is a classic collocation. Use it whenever you describe a city's appearance.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'DOMe' covering a city. A dome 'DOMinates' everything underneath it because it is on top and in control.

Asociación visual

Imagine a giant chess piece (a King) standing over a tiny board where all the other pieces are small and bowing down. The King dominates the board.

Word Web

Control Power Skyline Market Sports Conversation Influence Superiority

Desafío

Try to use 'dominate' in three different ways today: once for a physical object, once for a sports result, and once for a social situation.

Origen de la palabra

The word 'dominate' comes from the Latin verb 'dominari', which means 'to be lord and master'. This, in turn, comes from 'dominus', the Latin word for 'master' or 'lord of the house'. It entered the English language in the early 17th century.

Significado original: The original meaning was strictly about exercising lordship or absolute control over others, similar to a master over a household.

It belongs to the Indo-European family, specifically the Italic branch leading to Latin and then Romance-influenced English.

Contexto cultural

Be careful using 'dominate' when talking about relationships, as it can imply an unhealthy power imbalance or abuse.

In the US and UK, 'dominating' is a very common term in sports broadcasts, often used with high praise.

The concept of 'World Domination' is a common trope for villains in movies like James Bond. In biology, Gregor Mendel's 'Dominant' traits are a fundamental part of school science curricula. The 'Dominant 7th' chord is a crucial element in Western music theory and jazz.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Sports

dominate the match
dominate the court
dominate the competition
dominate the field

Business

dominate the market
dominate the industry
market dominance
dominate the sector

Geography

dominate the skyline
dominate the landscape
dominate the horizon
dominate the view

Social

dominate the conversation
dominate the discussion
dominate the meeting
dominate the room

Media

dominate the headlines
dominate the news
dominate the airwaves
dominate the narrative

Inicios de conversación

"Which company do you think will dominate the tech industry in ten years?"

"Do you think it's possible for one person to dominate a conversation without being rude?"

"What is the most impressive building that dominates the skyline of your city?"

"In your favorite sport, which athlete currently dominates the competition?"

"Do you feel that social media has come to dominate our daily lives too much?"

Temas para diario

Describe a time when you saw someone dominate a situation. Was it a positive or negative experience?

Think about your city. What physical features dominate the landscape, and how do they make you feel?

Write about a hobby or skill you would like to dominate. What steps do you need to take to get there?

Reflect on how technology dominates your morning routine. Could you live without it for a day?

Discuss whether it is better for a market to be dominated by one great company or many small ones.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

In modern English, it is better to avoid 'over'. Just say 'dominate the market' or 'dominate the opponent'. Adding 'over' is considered redundant.

No. In sports and business, being 'dominating' is usually a sign of high skill and success. However, in a conversation, it is often seen as negative.

'Dominate' is the verb (the action), while 'domination' is the noun (the state or the process of having control).

Yes. You can use 'dominate' for anything that is the most noticeable, including smells, sounds, or colors.

You use 'be dominated by'. For example: 'The game was dominated by the visiting team.'

It is neutral. It can be used in formal business reports, academic papers, and informal sports chats.

In biology, a dominant gene is one that will show its effect even if there is only one copy of it from one parent.

Usually, we say a building or mountain dominates a view. For a person, we might say they 'tower over' others, but you could say their presence 'dominates the room'.

Words like 'lead', 'monopolize', or 'control' are often used in business contexts.

Opposites include 'follow', 'yield', 'submit', or 'be overshadowed'.