authorial powers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "authorial powers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the creative authority or control that an author has over their work, including the ability to shape narratives, characters, and themes. Example: "The authorial powers displayed in her novel allow for a deep exploration of complex themes and character development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Writing as Anton, Melnyczuk revisits the landscape of his first novel, "What Is Told," and reclaims his authorial powers.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

This is very similar to authorial power, which usually tries to efface itself.

The New Yorker

We speak of omniscient authorial power because writers have the power of life and death over their "names".

The New Yorker

After all, the writer, "mad on authorial power and queer resentment", may kill off his characters on the page, but that's not the same as murder.

The Guardian

The boy's only hope was that by "occupying" his father's narrative, he might "exert some authorial power over it," so he did his best to keep up an appearance of otherworldly innocence and generosity.

The New York Times - Books

When Nicholson moves to South Pasadena as a final act of rebellion, with Corra taking over her medical decisions, it doesn't take long for the movie, often willed into the poetic with consciously arty shots and sequences, to become an unsettling record of strange intimacy and authorial power.

Los Angeles Times

From this promising point in his authorial career, did Kafka power forward?

The Guardian - Books

Intriguingly, it also evokes Six Characters in Search of an Author by turning the chorus into an ironic authorial figure with the power to stop the action and debate the progress with the protagonists, though the device's postmodern coolness undermines the force of the tragedy.

The Guardian

Dyer may believe his authorial omniscience gives him the power to rewrite the past, but as it happens he himself is in the hands of a greater power, namely Philip Topping, his best friend's son, who is at once his biggest fan and his most dangerous enemy.

The Guardian - Books

But Menzies might also have relished his role as an authorial eminence grise, exercising his creative power in indirect, elusive ways.

The New York Times

Some might resent this authorial intrusion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "authorial powers" when referring to the specific authority a writer or creator has over their work. It suggests a blend of control, creativity, and influence in shaping the final product.

Common error

Avoid using "authorial powers" to describe general authority or influence outside the context of creative authorship. The term is specific to the control and creative license an author wields over their work, not general power dynamics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "authorial powers" functions as a noun phrase, where 'authorial' modifies 'powers'. Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct. It typically refers to the specific capabilities and control an author has over their work, encompassing narrative, characters, and themes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "authorial powers" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the control and influence an author has over their creative work. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. The phrase is suitable for analytical discussions of literature, film, and other creative endeavors. Related phrases include "creative authority" and "narrative control", offering similar meanings with subtle differences. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the specific authority an author has over their creative output.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorial control

Synonymous, but more direct.

creative authority

Focuses on the power derived from the creative process.

narrative control

Highlights the control over the story and its elements.

stylistic control

Highlights command over the style and manner of expression.

artistic license

Emphasizes the freedom to deviate from strict accuracy or convention.

creative sovereignty

Implies supreme and independent creative authority.

editorial discretion

Focuses on the power to make decisions about content.

creative influence

Highlights impact rather than direct control.

literary command

Emphasizes skill and mastery in writing.

author's voice

Focuses on the unique style and perspective of the author.

FAQs

How can "authorial powers" be used in a sentence?

You can use "authorial powers" to describe a writer's control over their narrative, such as: "The author exercised their "authorial powers" to create a compelling and unexpected ending."

What's a good substitute for "authorial powers"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "creative authority", "narrative control", or "artistic license".

Is "authorial powers" the same as "authoritarian powers"?

No, "authorial powers" refers to a creator's control over their work, while "authoritarian powers" describes the powers of a strict and often oppressive government or leader. They have very different meanings.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "authorial powers"?

"Authorial powers" is appropriate in discussions about literature, film, and other creative works, where the focus is on the creator's influence and control over their artistic expression.