a facade of power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a facade of power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something appears to have power or authority, but it is not genuine or substantial. Example: "The politician maintained a facade of power, but behind the scenes, he struggled to make any real decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He emerged thinking that the N.C.A.A. is an organization that depends on a facade of power to generate profit by exploiting young men.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Although the three branches of government – cabinet, national assembly and high court – provide a facade of institutional governance, real power is exercised through informal networks that shift and change at the president's discretion.

The Guardian

If we understand about the illusion of control, then we can totally get his rage: he bought a machine that he thought would give him agency, but really he was trapped in yet other system that provided only the facade of power.

The Guardian - Tech

Putin calls the Ukrainian government "crooks": I sympathise with the people on Maidan even though I don't recognise the change in regime … People are not demanding renovations of the facade of power, they want cardinal changes, because they are used to crooks taking over from other crooks... Putin says: Of course people wanted change.

The Guardian

Freeing the charismatic 65-year-old leader could also divert some attention from an election widely dismissed as a sham to cement military power under a facade of democracy.

The Guardian

It presents a facade of consensual politics.

The Guardian

Washington Heights had a facade of normalcy about it yesterday.

The New York Times

However, their fears were concealed behind a facade of courtesy.

The Guardian

He gave the Somerset a facade of astonishing scale.

The New York Times

Humbleness is an internal sense of gratitude whereas modesty is a facade of meekness.

TechCrunch

Men were seen, rather, as being under pressure to remain healthy or, that failing, uphold a facade of being strong.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a facade of power" when you want to emphasize the deceptive nature of outward appearances, suggesting that true control or authority is lacking beneath the surface.

Common error

Avoid using "a facade of power" when you actually mean that someone has real influence and control. The phrase specifically implies a lack of genuine power behind an outward show.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a facade of power" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies or describes something that appears to be powerful but lacks genuine authority. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and describes the situation when someone or something seems to have authority or power, but is not genuine.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a facade of power" is a noun phrase used to describe situations where outward appearances of authority and control are misleading. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's grammatically correct but used rarely, often found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific sources. When writing, be sure to use it when describing situations where true control is lacking behind an outward show, and consider using alternatives like "an illusion of control" or "a semblance of authority" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an illusion of control

Focuses on the deceptive appearance of control rather than power itself.

a semblance of authority

Highlights the superficial appearance of authority without genuine substance.

a false front of strength

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of outward strength.

a superficial display of dominance

Points out the shallow and artificial nature of the displayed dominance.

a charade of influence

Implies a deceptive performance of having influence.

a deceptive image of command

Highlights the misleading impression of being in command.

a show of force

Focuses more on the display of strength rather than the power dynamic.

a hollow pretense of control

Emphasizes the emptiness and insincerity of the supposed control.

a thin veneer of authority

Implies a superficial and easily broken layer of authority.

a mere show of might

Highlights that the strength shown is only for display, not genuine power.

FAQs

How can I use "a facade of power" in a sentence?

You can use "a facade of power" to describe situations where someone or something appears to have power or authority, but this appearance is misleading. For example, "The politician maintained "a facade of power", but behind the scenes, he struggled to make any real decisions."

What phrases are similar to "a facade of power"?

Similar phrases include "an illusion of control", "a semblance of authority", or "a false front of strength". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a facade of power"?

Yes, "a facade of power" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It is often used to describe situations where someone or something appears to have authority but lacks genuine control.

What's the difference between "a facade of power" and "real power"?

"A facade of power" implies that the power is not genuine, but is only an outward appearance. In contrast, "real power" refers to actual control, influence, and authority.