Meaning & use
dictate your life
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
To control or decide how you live, often in a way that limits your freedom.
Grammar: Used with a possessive adjective before 'life': dictate my/your/his/her/our/their life. The verb 'dictate' can also take an object: dictate the terms.
Patterns
- dictate your life
- dictate my life
- dictate someone's life
You shouldn't let your fears dictate your life.
He thinks he can dictate your life just because he's older.
Don't let a bad relationship dictate your life.
Common combinations
- dictate your life
- You shouldn't let social media dictate your life.
- dictate my life
- I won't let fear dictate my life.
- dictate someone's life
- He tries to dictate his girlfriend's life, and she hates it.
- let something dictate your life
- Don't let one mistake dictate your life.
Synonyms and how they differ
- control your life
- More direct and general; 'dictate your life' often suggests forcing decisions on someone.
- rule your life
- Stronger and more dramatic; 'rule' suggests complete power, while 'dictate' focuses on giving orders.
Word family
Commonly confused: dictate your life or dictate my life?
dictate your life vs dictate my life
The same phrase but with 'my' instead of 'your'. Use 'your' when you are talking about the person you are speaking to.
Practice
Don't let your boss ______ your life; you have your own plans.
Choose one answer.
After 'let' + object, we use the base form 'dictate'. 'Dictates' is third-person singular, 'dictating' is the -ing form, and 'dictation' is a noun, so none of them fit grammatically here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dictate your life”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.