authoritative about

USAGE SUMMARY

"authoritative about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is considered to have strong or reliable knowledge or expertise on a particular topic. Example: "The expert's book was authoritative about the history of the ancient civilization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But there was nothing authoritative about these routines.

The New York Times - Sports

They do not deal, or properly any comments can't be considered to be absolutely authoritative, about the situation where one partner is a sole owner.

The Guardian

Mr. Karp, like other frequent travelers, said part of his frustration is the occasional encounter with security screeners who are impolite or overly authoritative about doing their job.

The New York Times - Travel

How to be authoritative about mortgages, retaining walls, lawn grass, drains, politics, as well as about the jobs that would have to maintain their families for the next quarter of a century.

The New Yorker

Since Ms. Kelley is well aware that there is such a thing as Oprah omertà — and that it is why unauthorized Winfrey books (like one proposed by Mr. Winfrey) don't ordinarily get written, let alone published — she is eager to appear authoritative about her research and reporting.

The New York Times - Books

Each sense is authoritative about its own special objects.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Chrystia Freeland, a journalist and author of an authoritative book about that era, described it as a Faustian bargain.

The New York Times - Magazine

The ensuing trial, and the rest of Brodsky's relatively short but prolific life (he died in 1996, at fifty-five) isuperblyly documented in Lev Loseff's "Brodsky: A Literary Life," which Gessen deems a "loyal, scrupulous, and authoritative" book about the poet who, when asked at his trial what he had done for his motherland, famously answered, "I wrote poems.

The New Yorker

This sort of innovative process describes the emergence of those transnational publics that are indirectly affected by the new sorts of authoritative institutions brought about by managing "deregulation" and globalization.

SEP

The myth that her subtitle invokes is our culture's most authoritative story about the glory and misery of individualism, about the ego's domination of the world and its reduction of other people to ownable, usable things, like Crusoe's compliant Man Friday.

The Guardian - Books

He still carries the habits of a scientist, pausing in the middle of sentences to reconsider or rephrase what he was about to say, and shying away from making authoritative statements about anything he hasn't examined personally.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "authoritative about" when you want to emphasize that someone or something is a reliable and credible source of information on a specific topic. It implies a level of expertise and trustworthiness.

Common error

Avoid using "authoritative about" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "knowledgeable" or "well-informed" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "authoritative about" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun (person, source, information) possesses recognized expertise or credibility regarding a specific topic. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "authoritative about" is a grammatically sound phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to describe something or someone with recognized expertise on a particular subject. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. For alternatives, consider "knowledgeable about" or "expert in", keeping in mind the level of formality required. Remember to use it when you need to convey credibility and trustworthiness, particularly in more formal or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has authority on

Directly replaces 'authoritative' with 'authority', changing the structure slightly.

knowledgeable about

Emphasizes possessing knowledge, differing from "authoritative about" which focuses on conveying it convincingly.

well-informed about

Focuses on having information, while "authoritative about" implies more than just information.

an expert authority on

More formal version with a semantic shift toward authority.

expert in

Shifts the focus from 'about' to 'in', indicating expertise within a field rather than on a specific topic.

proficient in

Similar to "expert in" focusing on skill and competence in a specific area.

a leading expert in

Suggests someone prominent and widely acknowledged.

qualified to discuss

Highlights the speaker's competence to talk about something.

reliable source on

Emphasizes the dependability of the source, moving away from the individual's authority.

credible on the subject of

Focuses on believability regarding a subject, whereas "authoritative about" implies a level of command.

FAQs

How can I use "authoritative about" in a sentence?

You can use "authoritative about" to describe someone or something that is considered a reliable and credible source of information. For example, "The scientist was "authoritative about" the effects of climate change".

What are some alternatives to "authoritative about"?

Some alternatives include "knowledgeable about", "well-informed about", or "expert in", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "authoritative on" or "authoritative about"?

Both "authoritative on" and "authoritative about" are grammatically correct and can be used, but "authoritative about" is more common when referring to specific topics or subjects, while "authoritative on" can refer more broadly to a field or area.

What does it mean to be "authoritative about" something?

To be "authoritative about" something means that you are perceived as a reliable and credible source of information on that topic. It implies you have a strong understanding and can speak with confidence and accuracy.