by whose authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by whose authority" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when questioning the legitimacy or source of someone's power or permission. Example: "By whose authority are you making these decisions?" Alternative expressions include "under what authority" and "by what right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

By whose authority?

The New Yorker

Some in the black community asked by whose authority he gave such a promise.

Independent

Exactly when, how and by whose authority Bandera became "Cowboy Capital of the World" remains a little fuzzy.

The New York Times

It was this: that, upon the discovery of America, the nations of Europe were anxious to appropriate as much of the country as possible, and, to avoid contests and conflicting settlements among themselves, they established the principle that discovery gave title to the government by whose subjects or by whose authority it was made, against all other governments.

Cornell University

The title "Buddha Touched the Earth" refers to the famous story about the Buddha, on the eve of his enlightenment, assailed one last time by Mara who challenged him by asking "By whose authority do you claim this supposed enlightenment?" The Buddha replied by touching the Earth as depicted in countless images and icons and the Earth roared her assent.

Yale University

This principle was that discovery gave title to the government by whose subjects, or by whose authority, it was made, against all other European governments, which title might be consummated by possession.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Many of those struggles, he later acknowledged, were little more than turf wars waged by those whose authority had been diminished by the 1977 constitutional amendments making the administration of the state court system the responsibility of the chief judge.

The New York Times

At the head of this effort, it says, is the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Qods (Jerusalem) Force, or IRGC-QF, led by Brigadier-General Qasem Soleimani, whose authority is "second only to supreme leader [Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei".

The Guardian

In case readers have been lulled by the pacific negotiator Francis, it is important to note that, surprise!, the pope is being declared heretical by people whose authority is invested in the internet.

University of Chicago

Shepherd, who looks like a sandlot boxer, plays the Duke in "Measure for Measure," with an eloquent, clear-eyed glee that is sane and antic by turn a ruler whose authority is enhanced by his knowledge of his own shortcomings.

The New Yorker

The purpose of the work Gould was doing was to help the U.S. government resolve a series of lawsuits involving the selling off of reservation land by "mixed-bloods" whose authority was disputed by "full-bloods": Gould, with his little top, was supposed to determine which Indians were the reddest.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by whose authority" when you want to formally challenge the legitimacy of an action or decision. It's suitable for legal, academic, and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "by whose authority" in casual conversations. It sounds overly formal and might come across as pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "who said so?" or "where did you get that idea?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by whose authority" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase. It is used to question the legitimacy or justification of an action, decision, or statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be effectively used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by whose authority" serves as a formal and direct question concerning the legitimacy or basis of an action or decision. As Ludwig AI's analysis suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and best suited for academic, legal, or professional settings where formality is valued. While not frequently used in everyday conversation, "by whose authority" provides a powerful way to challenge the foundation of power or permission. Related phrases like "under what authorization" or "by what right" offer similar, albeit slightly different, ways to question authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by what right

This alternative focuses on the legal or moral entitlement to act.

under what authorization

This alternative uses 'authorization' instead of 'authority', focusing on the formal permission granted.

where does this authority come from

This phrases focuses on the origin or source of the authority being questioned.

by whose sanction

Replaces "authority" with "sanction," implying official approval or endorsement.

on what grounds

This alternative is more general, questioning the basis or justification for something.

with what justification

This phrase emphasizes the need for a valid reason or excuse.

on whose orders

This alternative specifies that the action was carried out on someone's command.

who authorized this

This option directly asks for the person responsible for granting permission.

upon whose command

Similar to 'on whose orders' but more formal and emphatic.

who gave you permission

This alternative is more direct and informal, questioning the source of permission.

FAQs

How can I use "by whose authority" in a sentence?

Use "by whose authority" when questioning the legitimacy of someone's actions. For example, "By whose authority did you enter this room?"

What are some alternatives to "by whose authority"?

Alternatives include "under what authorization", "by what right", or "on what grounds".

Is "by whose authority" formal or informal?

"By whose authority" is a formal phrase suitable for legal, professional, or academic settings. It's less appropriate for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "by whose authority" and "who authorized this"?

"By whose authority" is more formal and emphasizes the legitimacy of the authority itself. "Who authorized this" is more direct and simply seeks to identify the person who granted permission.