able to overrule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to overrule" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has the authority or capability to reverse or nullify a decision or action made by another party. Example: "The committee is able to overrule the previous decision if new evidence is presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Senior commanders will no longer be able to overrule convictions in sexual-assault cases.

The New Yorker

Shouldn't voters be able to overrule reluctant municipal and county leaders?

The New York Times

The president would be able to overrule this "court" and "take whatever action he thought appropriate, but would have to explain himself afterward to Congress".

The New York Times

Crucially, the president would be able to overrule this court, and take whatever action he thought appropriate, but would have to explain himself afterward to Congress.

The New York Times

Only because we had strong bipartisan support for these tough sanctions were we able to overrule their objections and put them in spite of the administration.

The New York Times

Mr Cameron has announced the move will be in the new Government's Queen's Speech on May 27 and is designed to prevent the European Court of Human Rights being able to overrule British courts over issues such as prisoner rights.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

A later court cannot treat the case as wrongly decided, unless it is able and willing to overrule it The idea that a precedent is reaching a conclusion on the balance of reasons in the particular case at hand makes sense of a number of other features of common law judgments.

SEP

At what stage will the NHSCB be able to step in to overrule decisions if local flexibility results in too much deviation from national standards?

The Guardian - Opinion

But Ashwell Prince, who was at the non-striker's end when Reece was dismissed and followed shortly afterwards chipping Roland-Jones to mid-on, expressed a general and understandable frustration that the third umpire, Mark Benson, was not able to use replays to overrule the error that cost Lancashire the key wicket of Croft.

The Guardian - Sport

He saw to it that the Justice Department was overruled, that [then-Attorney General] Dick Thornburgh -- and I wrote about this in Without Fidel and other pieces -- that's a remarkable thing he was able to get his father to overrule the Attorney General.

Huffington Post

In McDonnell, the Lords further limited the use of Hansard, saying it could not be used to overrule precedent set before courts were able to reference it, except in exceptional circumstances.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to overrule", ensure the context clearly indicates who possesses the authority and what decisions they can reverse. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "able to overrule" when the authority is implied or not formally established. Always verify the power dynamic and legitimacy before asserting the ability to reverse decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to overrule" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, followed by an infinitive verb, indicating the capacity or authority to reverse a decision or action. Ludwig examples show its use in describing the powers of officials or bodies to overturn previous rulings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "able to overrule" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating the power or capacity to reverse a decision. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides several real-world examples, mostly from News & Media sources. While not extremely common, its usage is fairly consistent. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the authority and its limits. Alternatives like "capable of overriding" or "has the authority to reverse" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of overriding

Focuses on the ability to negate or cancel out a previous action or decision.

can overturn

Highlights the ability to reverse a decision.

has the authority to reverse

Emphasizes the legitimate power to overturn a decision.

can reverse

Highlights the ability to undo something.

empowered to countermand

Highlights the official authorization to revoke an order.

in a position to veto

Stresses the power to reject or prohibit something.

authorized to set aside

Focuses on the permission to disregard or invalidate a previous ruling.

entitled to overturn

Highlights the right to reverse or invalidate something.

permitted to invalidate

Emphasizes the allowance to nullify or void a decision.

allowed to supersede

Focuses on the permission to replace or take precedence over something.

FAQs

How can I use "able to overrule" in a sentence?

You can use "able to overrule" to describe someone's capacity to reverse a decision, such as "The committee is "able to overrule" the previous decision if new evidence is presented."

What are some alternatives to "able to overrule"?

Alternatives include "capable of overriding", "has the authority to reverse", or "empowered to countermand".

When is it appropriate to use "able to overrule" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when discussing hierarchical structures, legal authorities, or decision-making processes where the power to reverse decisions is explicitly defined.

What is the difference between "able to overrule" and "can overturn"?

"Able to overrule" implies a formal or legitimate capacity to reverse a decision, while "can overturn" is a more general statement of possibility or ability.