beyond the power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beyond the power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is outside the limits of someone's ability or authority to control or influence. Example: "The decision to change the policy is beyond the power of the committee and must be made by the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Beyond the power of thinking, I made no reply.

The New Yorker

The thinktank also looked beyond the power sector.

The Guardian

Roosevelt gave him little authority beyond the power to exhort and orchestrate.

The New York Times

He said the population reduction mandate goes "beyond the power of the courts".

The New York Times

It must be beyond the power of humanity to change it to suit itself".

The New York Times

The bonus culture is beyond the power of any one person or bank to end.

The Guardian - Opinion

The loss is perverse, and beyond the power of a single writer to repair.

The New York Times - Books

"Comment" (1989): Garrison Keillor on the fall of the Wall — "the jubilation is almost beyond the power to imagine".

The New Yorker

Some events, she sighed, were absolute fate, unalterable by free will and beyond the power of any astrologer to avert.

The Economist

Whether they will prove to have succeeded or failed is beyond the power of the terrorists to decide.

The New Yorker

Uncle's hands were seamed with the black powder, beyond the power of any washing to get out.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beyond the power", ensure the context clearly defines whose power is being exceeded. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "beyond the power" vaguely. Instead of saying 'That's beyond the power', specify 'That's beyond the power of the local authorities' to provide precise context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beyond the power" functions as a prepositional phrase typically modifying a verb or noun. It indicates that something is outside the scope of someone's ability or authority. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe situations or actions that are not within someone's control or capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beyond the power" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something exceeds the capabilities or authority of someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying whose power is being referred to. Alternatives such as "out of reach" or "unattainable" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Common errors include vague usage, which can be avoided by providing specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond one's capacity

Specifies that something exceeds personal abilities or resources.

out of reach

Emphasizes the inaccessibility or unattainability of something.

unattainable

Directly states that something cannot be achieved.

beyond control

Highlights the lack of ability to manage or direct something.

outside the scope

Indicates something is not included within certain boundaries or limits.

insurmountable

Highlights the impossibility of overcoming something.

exceeding the limits

Focuses on surpassing defined boundaries or restrictions.

not feasible

States that something is not practical or possible to achieve.

not within the jurisdiction

Indicates something is outside legal or authoritative control.

past the point of no return

Emphasizes that it is too late to change or reverse a course of action.

FAQs

How can I use "beyond the power" in a sentence?

You can use "beyond the power" to indicate that something is outside of someone's control or ability. For example, "Reversing the trend is "beyond the power" of short-term measures".

What are some alternatives to "beyond the power"?

Some alternatives include "out of reach", "beyond one's capacity", or "unattainable", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "beyond the powers" instead of "beyond the power"?

While "beyond the power" generally refers to a singular, overarching authority or ability, "beyond the powers" can be used when referring to multiple distinct authorities or capabilities. The choice depends on whether you're discussing a collective power or individual powers.

What's the difference between "beyond the power" and "beyond control"?

"Beyond the power" implies a lack of authority or capability, whereas "beyond control" suggests a lack of management or regulation. For example, something could be "beyond the power" of a committee to decide, but "beyond control" due to unforeseen circumstances.