access to power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "access to power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the ability or opportunity to influence or control resources, decisions, or authority. Example: "In many societies, access to power is often limited to a select few, creating disparities in governance and representation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She helps people like myself who do not have access to power in the United States".

The New York Times

Many of her donors, too, open their wallets in the hope of future access to power.

The Economist

The quality of the argument, not the quality of the access to power, is what matters.

The Economist

Yeltsin, who died in 2007, was the person who gave Mr. Berezovsky access to power.

The New York Times

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, access to power required knowledge of the world.

The New Yorker

Lesson One: Access to power can get you what you want.

The New York Times

One of the opportunities enjoyed by young Baathists was access to power.

The New Yorker

Econet Wireless is designed for people with limited access to power grids.

The Guardian

"Committee members have access to power, and that's not a bad thing.

The New York Times

"This project will give 2.5 million people better access to power and help drive economic growth".

The Guardian

Our democracy is moving ever more toward having a small class of rich and privileged with special access to power.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing societal issues, use "access to power" to highlight disparities in influence and control among different groups.

Common error

Avoid using "access to power" when simply describing someone holding a position of authority. Instead, use it to emphasize the ability to utilize that authority effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "access to power" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes the ability or opportunity to influence or control resources, decisions, or authority, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "access to power" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes the ability or opportunity to influence decisions, resources, or authority. According to Ludwig, the phrase is found predominantly in news and media contexts, with secondary usage in science and business domains. While the phrase itself is relatively straightforward, it's important to differentiate it from simply "holding power"; "access to power" implies the ability to utilize that authority effectively. When writing, consider alternatives such as "ability to influence" or "political leverage" depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

access to influence

Similar to the original but specifically focuses on the ability to affect outcomes.

ability to influence

Focuses on the capacity to have an effect on decisions or actions.

opportunity for control

Highlights the chance to manage or direct resources and people.

political leverage

Emphasizes the use of political means to exert influence.

avenues of authority

Refers to the means or channels through which power is exercised.

exercise of authority

Highlights the actual use of power in a given situation.

right to govern

Focuses on the legitimacy and entitlement to rule.

commanding position

Describes a situation where one holds a strong and influential role.

ability to dictate

Emphasizes the power to prescribe or control outcomes.

opportunity to dominate

Focuses on the chance to exert control over others.

FAQs

How can I use "access to power" in a sentence?

You can use "access to power" to describe the ability or opportunity to influence decisions or resources. For example, "Lobbyists often seek "access to power" to influence legislation".

What can I say instead of "access to power"?

Alternatives include "ability to influence", "political leverage", or "opportunity for control" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "access to power" and "holding power"?

"Access to power" implies the opportunity to influence decisions, whereas "holding power" suggests actual possession of authority or control.

Is it better to say "access to power" or "access to influence"?

Both are correct, but "access to influence" might be more appropriate when discussing subtle or informal ways of affecting outcomes, while "access to power" often refers to more formal or institutional control. In many cases these two terms are interchangeable.