authority to determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "authority to determine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has the power or right to make decisions or judgments about a particular matter. Example: "The committee has the authority to determine the eligibility of applicants for the scholarship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Congress, which has the constitutional authority to determine its membership, will be watching closely.

The New York Times

First, Article I does not give Congress any authority to determine who decides civil cases.

The New York Times

The Committee on Curricula (CoC) has the authority to determine whether a specific combination is permissible.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

III is not an unconditioned authority to determine the constitutionality of legislative or executive acts.

Cornell University

The Committee on Curricula (COC) has the authority to determine whether a specific combination is permissible.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

States have the authority to determine curriculum and set standards to which individual schools should conform.

Stanford University

It would give the secretary of health and human services authority to determine what constituted a pandemic or an epidemic.

The New York Times

The Framers vested the authority to determine the manner for the appointment of presidential electors in the state legislatures.

The New York Times

Article I, Section 8 of the US constitution grants Congress exclusive authority to determine the terms of US trade policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Florida Legislature has not granted to the state Supreme Court the authority to determine the manner of choosing electors.

The New York Times

The law "grants those in charge of independent administrative agencies broad authority to determine relevant policy," he observed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative phrases like "power to decide" or "right to determine" for a less formal tone while maintaining clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "authority to determine" in extremely informal settings where simpler phrases like "can decide" or "gets to choose" are more appropriate. The phrase can sound overly bureaucratic in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "authority to determine" functions as a noun phrase that indicates the power or right to make a decision or judgment. It often identifies the entity or individual responsible for making a final determination. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

27%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "authority to determine" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to denote the power or right to make a decision. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules. With 67 real-world examples from varied sources, "authority to determine" shows a very common frequency, especially in News & Media and Academia. When choosing a synonym, it's crucial to consider the level of formality required. While alternatives like "power to decide" offer a less formal option, "authority to determine" remains the most precise choice in formal settings. To avoid misuse, refrain from employing the expression in extremely informal contexts where simpler alternatives would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

power to decide

Replaces "authority" with "power", focusing on the ability to make a decision.

right to decide

Substitutes "authority" with "right", emphasizing the legitimacy of the decision-making process.

jurisdiction to determine

Replaces "authority" with "jurisdiction", highlighting the legal scope of decision-making.

prerogative to decide

Emphasizes the special or exclusive right to make a decision.

entitlement to determine

Highlights the right or condition of being entitled to decide.

license to determine

Refers to a formal permission or authorization to decide.

capacity to determine

Focuses on the ability or competence to make a determination.

authorization to decide

Stresses the act of giving official approval or permission to determine something.

discretion to determine

Highlights the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.

competence to determine

Focuses on having the necessary ability or skill to determine something.

FAQs

How can I use "authority to determine" in a sentence?

Use "authority to determine" when referring to a person or organization's power to make a final decision. For example, "The board has the "authority to determine" the budget allocation."

What's the difference between "authority to determine" and "power to decide"?

"Authority to determine" implies a formal, recognized right or power, often legal or official. "Power to decide" is more general and might refer to influence or practical ability, rather than a formal entitlement. Consider the context to decide between "power to decide" and "authority to determine".

Are there synonyms for "authority to determine" that I can use?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "right to decide", "jurisdiction to determine", or "prerogative to decide".

In what situations is it best to use the phrase "authority to determine"?

The phrase "authority to determine" is best used in formal or official contexts, such as legal documents, policy statements, or organizational guidelines, where clearly defining decision-making power is essential.