a sole authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sole authority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a single person or entity that has complete control or decision-making power over a particular matter. Example: "In this organization, the CEO is considered a sole authority on all financial decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They are generally operated and managed by a sole authority and act more like a corporation than a government bureaucracy.

TechCrunch

Our investigation suggests that, the WHO should currently be considered as the most comprehensive source of European HCV prevalence data because their data were collected by a sole authority with uniform demands on data quality, and comparable data collections are lacking.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The report, released Monday by the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, said an organization with sole authority for reconstruction would eliminate much of the confusion and interagency rivalries that have hampered rebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Again 4-3, theldheld that a justice has the sole authority to decide whether to recuse himself.

The New Yorker

On Monday he issued an order stripping lawyers on the two sides of sole authority to choose an administrator and a medical panel to evaluate the plaintiffs' claims and said court approval would be needed.

The New York Times

That panel, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, retains its sole authority to punish a member for a violation.

The New York Times

The governor, a Democrat, now has the sole authority to negotiate compacts with tribes.

The New York Times

Cowher said he did not allow his players to call timeouts in the second half of a game; he wanted that sole authority.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, it remains the sole authority of a country that has made great economic progress, and despite the wishful thinking of some commentators, is extremely unlikely to be replaced in the next few decades.

Vice

"Sole" authority means the authority of one (sole, solo, etc).

Huffington Post

If the committee concludes that national security risks cannot be mitigated, the case is referred to the president, who has the sole authority to prohibit a transaction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sole authority" when you want to emphasize that only one entity or person has the power to make decisions or take action in a specific context. It underscores the lack of shared or delegated responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "sole authority" when you mean "sole responsibility". Authority implies the power to decide, while responsibility implies accountability for outcomes. While a sole authority often bears responsibility, the terms are not interchangeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sole authority" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It designates a single person or entity possessing exclusive power or control over a specific domain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sole authority" is grammatically sound and serves to highlight the exclusive decision-making power of an individual or entity. While Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage, its occurrence is relatively rare. It's more frequently found in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you intend to convey the idea of exclusive power and not merely singular responsibility. Related phrases, such as "exclusive authority" or "supreme authority", can be suitable alternatives depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive authority

Emphasizes the exclusivity of the power held.

supreme authority

Highlights the ultimate and unquestionable nature of the power.

ultimate authority

Focuses on the finality and decisiveness of the power.

exclusive jurisdiction

Highlights legal or territorial aspect of authority.

final arbiter

Implies the role of making the last and unappealable decision.

the only decision-maker

Highlights the singular role in making decisions.

the prime mover

Suggests the initiator and controller of actions.

the final word

Indicates the power to make the ultimate pronouncement or judgment.

singular power

Emphasizes the unique and individual nature of the authority.

one-man rule

Suggests autocratic authority.

FAQs

How to use "a sole authority" in a sentence?

You can use "a sole authority" to indicate that a single person or entity has complete control over something. For example, "The CEO is the "sole authority" on all strategic decisions."

What can I say instead of "a sole authority"?

You can use alternatives like "exclusive authority", "supreme authority", or "ultimate authority" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "a sole authority"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "a sole authority". The article "a" is used correctly before the adjective "sole", which modifies the noun "authority".

What's the difference between "a sole authority" and "a single authority"?

While similar, "a single authority" emphasizes the singularity of the authority, whereas "a sole authority" emphasizes the exclusivity and completeness of the power held by that authority.