authoritative to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "authoritative to" is not correct and should not be used in written English.
To make a sentence using the adjective "authoritative," you might say "The professor had an authoritative stance when presenting her lecture."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Since then it has been almost axiomatic that philosophy has nothing very authoritative to say about how we should live.

The Guardian - Books

It sounds authoritative to an American ear and provides an easy way to brand an eccentric character as smarter than he seems.

The New York Times - Arts

The challenge, of course, will be to find someone authoritative to talk to in Pyongyang and then to persuade Mr. Obama to go along.

The New York Times

She worked for a time as a schoolteacher, piling her hair on top of her head to appear taller and more authoritative to her small pupils.

The New Yorker

For the United States to take real advantage of the election results, it must first find someone authoritative to talk to.

The New York Times

Like Oliver Stone's 1991 film "J.F.K.," this mystery story has a strong opinion about what really happened on a day of national disaster, and characters throw out bits of damning information (which sound remarkably authoritative) to prove their points.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Were you to call a half-dozen super-gardeners around the metro area and ask for their fall cleanup regime, you'd come away with an authoritative to-do list.

The New York Times

The decision is authoritative as to the point so ruled, but not otherwise.

Cornell University

Therefore, it is the matter of principal to search for authoritative discussants to let them influence our important decisions.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Wouldn't it be great to have one authoritative place to access all information about all animal species ever published?

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The extent to which people need authoritative guidance to secure cooperation varies with context.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "authoritative to". Instead, rephrase to use "authoritative" as an adjective describing a noun (e.g., "authoritative source") or use phrases like "regarded as authoritative".

Common error

Don't use "authoritative" to describe a relationship or direction. "Authoritative" describes the quality of something. For example, instead of "It sounds authoritative to me", use "It sounds authoritative" or "I find it authoritative".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "authoritative to" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that it should not be used in written English. The correct usage involves using "authoritative" as an adjective to modify a noun.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "authoritative to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in written English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Instead, use "authoritative" as an adjective to describe a noun or consider alternative phrases like "regarded as authoritative" or "considered authoritative" to convey a sense of credibility or expertise. Correct usage enhances clarity and professionalism in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authoritative source

Focuses on the source being authoritative rather than a direction.

regarded as authoritative

Highlights the perception of being authoritative.

seen as authoritative

Similar to 'regarded as', but emphasizes visual perception.

considered authoritative

Emphasizes a judgment or assessment of authority.

authoritative figure

Highlights a person who holds authority.

authoritative manner

Focuses on the style in which something is done.

with authority

Indicates acting from a position of authority.

on good authority

Suggests having reliable information.

an authority on

Indicates expertise in a specific subject.

acting authoritatively

Focuses on the act of behaving in an authoritative way.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "authoritative" in a sentence?

Use "authoritative" as an adjective to describe a noun, such as "authoritative source" or "authoritative voice". Avoid using it with the preposition "to".

What are some alternatives to the incorrect phrase "authoritative to"?

Instead of "authoritative to", consider phrases like "regarded as authoritative", "considered authoritative", or simply using "authoritative" as an adjective.

Is it grammatically correct to say something is "authoritative to" someone?

No, the phrase "authoritative to" is grammatically incorrect. "Authoritative" should be used to describe a quality of something, not to indicate a relationship or direction.

How can I make my writing sound more "authoritative" without using the phrase "authoritative to"?

Focus on using strong, credible sources and presenting information clearly and confidently. Avoid using grammatically incorrect phrases like "authoritative to".