accumulate power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accumulate power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the gathering or increasing of influence, authority, or energy over time. Example: "Throughout history, many leaders have sought to accumulate power to enforce their vision and control their nations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

To accumulate power and vanquish your opponents, you need powerful elements of the state — such as the police, the armed forces, senior politicians, and the judiciary — to go along with your designs, or at least to stand aside as you do as you will.

The New Yorker

Even after 10 years, Merkel still seems to accumulate power, not lose it.

The Guardian

"You don't get the feeling that they're in it to accumulate power or aggrandize themselves.

The New Yorker

Of course, not all countries that rise up and accumulate power attack their neighbors, right?

Cornell University

Once women accumulate power, their fund-raising ability grows much stronger.

The New York Times

It is the result of Mr Fujimori's drive to accumulate power, free from accountability.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The power accumulated in the hands of one person, Stalin, led to serious consequences during the Great Patriotic War.

The Guardian

During his six-year tenure, Mr. Thaksin neutered democratic institutions and accumulated personal power, challenging the power of the military, the bureaucracy and the monarchist aristocracy.

The New York Times

The waning days of Benedict's troubled papacy were marked by complaints from ordinary Catholics as well as from powerful cardinals that the Curia had become too concerned with accumulating power and unresponsive to the needs of its followers.

The New York Times

When one becomes sufficiently powerful, continued success relies more on the skillful allocation of accumulated power than on persuasion.

Forbes

The professions, including those in science, were accumulating power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about political dynamics, use "accumulate power" to emphasize a deliberate and strategic effort to gain control or authority over time. This phrasing adds a layer of nuance compared to simpler alternatives like "gain power".

Common error

Avoid using "accumulate power" when the context implies selfishly keeping power from others, which is better described as "hoarding power". Accumulating suggests strategic growth, while hoarding implies possessiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accumulate power" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "accumulate" is the verb and "power" is the noun acting as the direct object. This phrase, as Ludwig AI suggests, describes the active process of acquiring or increasing influence and authority.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accumulate power" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the process of gaining influence or authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and applicable across various contexts. While alternatives like "gain power" or "build power" exist, "accumulate power" specifically emphasizes a gradual and strategic increase. When writing, it's important to distinguish between accumulating power through legitimate means and hoarding power selfishly. The phrase commonly appears in news media and analytical writing, reflecting its relevance in discussing social, political, and economic dynamics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain power

This alternative is a more concise and commonly used synonym.

build power

This alternative suggests a gradual and deliberate increase in power.

acquire power

This alternative focuses on the act of obtaining power.

amass power

This alternative suggests gathering a large quantity of power.

accrue power

This alternative implies a gradual accumulation over time.

gather power

This alternative is a more general term for bringing power together.

consolidate power

This alternative means to strengthen and stabilize existing power.

increase influence

This alternative focuses on expanding one's sphere of influence.

expand authority

This alternative emphasizes the growth of formal authority.

develop influence

This alternative suggest a gradual and strategic increase in influence.

FAQs

How can I use "accumulate power" in a sentence?

You can use "accumulate power" to describe the process of gaining influence, control, or authority over time. For example: "The politician strategically worked to accumulate power within the party."

What are some alternatives to "accumulate power"?

You can use alternatives like "gain power", "build power", or "acquire power", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "accumulate power" or "gain power"?

"Accumulate power" suggests a gradual and strategic increase in influence or authority, while "gain power" is a more general term for obtaining power. The best choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "accumulate power" and "consolidate power"?

"Accumulate power" refers to the process of increasing one's influence or authority, while "consolidate power" means to strengthen and stabilize the power that one already has.