an exercise of authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an exercise of authority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is demonstrating or implementing their power or control over a situation or group. Example: "The manager's decision to enforce stricter deadlines was seen as an exercise of authority that left the team feeling pressured."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is notoriously difficult to make sense of such an exercise of authority.[13] For our purposes here, however, it suffices to note that if weakness of will is a genuine phenomenon, then human agents have the capacity to govern themselves in a way that they themselves take to be unjustified.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That was both an exercise of presidential authority, and a prelude to liberal economic reforms.

The Economist

In addition, or as an alternative to upholding the individual mandate as an exercise of Congressional authority under the Commerce Clause, some may prefer to treat the individual mandate as a tax, squarely within Congress's taxing power.

The New York Times

The idea of authority has been clarified by contemporary legal theorists such as Raz and Hart, by reflection upon the kind of reasons for action purportedly given to potentially acting subjects by an exercise of practical authority.

SEP

O'Connor said that change renders the mandate unconstitutional, because, in a 2012 decision upholding most of the Affordable Care Act, the majority opinion from Chief Justice Roberts justified the mandate as an exercise of congressional authority to levy taxes ― and a financial penalty of zero value can't be a tax, O'Connor ruled.

Huffington Post

In a letter dated September 4th, Sessions called it an "unconstitutional exercise of authority by the Executive Branch".

The New Yorker

When announcing the end of DACA, Attorney General Jeff Sessions stated that the Obama immigration policy is an "unconstitutional exercise of authority," and added: "failure to enforce the laws in the past has put our nation at risk of crime, violence and terrorism".

Huffington Post

A second case challenges an exercise of Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce, in this instance under the Clean Water Act.

The New York Times

To New Jersey, permitting the BP project is simply an exercise of "traditional riparian authority" recognized under the compact, its lawyer, H. Bartow Farr III, told the justices.

The New York Times

Theodore B. Olson, Mr. Bush's lawyer, argued that Article II means that a state court cannot invoke the state constitution to trump an exercise of state legislative authority that derives directly from the United States Constitution.

The New York Times

Some targeted killings may be lawful during an armed conflict, and others as an exercise of law enforcement authority, but these frameworks are not interchangeable.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an exercise of authority", ensure the context clearly indicates who is exercising the authority and over whom or what the authority is being exercised.

Common error

Avoid using "an exercise of authority" without specifying the source or basis of that authority. Ensure clarity by stating who holds the authority and why it is legitimate in the given context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an exercise of authority" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a specific instance or act of using one's power or control. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a proper and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

45%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an exercise of authority" is a noun phrase used to describe the act of implementing power or control. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While primarily found in news, media, and scientific sources, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure clear attribution of the authority to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "a display of power" or "an assertion of control" can be used for subtle variations in meaning. The phrase is commonly used and readily understood, making it a valuable tool in analytical and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a demonstration of authority

Focuses on visibly showing authority.

an exertion of power

Conveys the active effort of applying power.

an assertion of control

Emphasizes the act of claiming or enforcing control.

an enactment of authority

Highlights the formal or official execution of authority.

a display of power

Focuses on the visible demonstration of power.

an implementation of control

Emphasizes the practical application of control measures.

a manifestation of control

Focuses on how control is made evident.

a use of influence

Highlights the application of influence to achieve an outcome.

a practice of command

Highlights the habitual or regular use of command.

an application of dominance

Stresses the implementation of a dominant position.

FAQs

How can I use "an exercise of authority" in a sentence?

You can use "an exercise of authority" to describe instances where someone is using their power or control, for example: "The manager's decision was seen as "an exercise of authority"."

What's a good alternative to "an exercise of authority"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a display of power", "an assertion of control", or "an exertion of power".

Is it correct to say "the exercise of authority" or "an exercise of authority"?

Both are correct, but "an exercise of authority" is used when referring to a specific instance, while "the exercise of authority" refers to the general concept or practice.

What does "an exercise of authority" imply?

It implies the deliberate application of power or control, often in a way that affects others or a specific situation. It suggests that someone is actively using their authority.