confer authority

USAGE SUMMARY

"confer authority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you wish to speak of the act of giving someone the right to act or make decisions. For example, "The board of directors voted to confer authority on the CEO to make decisions regarding the company's budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But self-parody can also confer authority.

The New Yorker

The sheer inappropriateness of the vessel, the breathtaking audacity of the messenger, can oddly confer authority on an idea.

The New York Times

The Sunday talk shows confer authority to those in politics, but we, as the consumers, give power to the Sunday shows.

The New York Times

It's easy to see where the impulse to conflate "Greek history" with "Classical Greek history" comes from: appeals to Thucydides or Plato can confer authority in real-world decision-making.

The New Yorker

A century ago, the solution to such problems — and the path to efficient, effective governance — seemed clear: Remove power from partisan politicians, confer authority on appointed experts and insulate those experts from political influence so they could better serve the public interest.

The Washington Post

Yet many lasting achievements of American public life — from environmental protection and food safety to space exploration and economic stability — resulted from a willingness to confer authority on public-spirited professionals and to insulate them from the demands of partisan competition.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Moreover, instead of conferring authority, the hierarchy establishes an unambiguous sequence of levels of accountability.

Harvard Business Review

The marketplace of ideas, indeed, often confers authority through mere repetition – in science as well as in political campaigning.

The Guardian

Later it greatly enlarged its powers, conferring authority without limit to construct its railroad over any Indian reservation and to acquire and consolidate with practically any connecting line.

Cornell University

"It may be a distance of only three to four feet, but you need to establish a demarcation somehow, although the compere helps and the stage itself confers authority".

The Guardian

The objection to the seizure is not that it was wrongful merely because made by one upon whom the Government had not conferred authority to seize at the place where the seizure was made.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confer authority" when you want to emphasize the formal act of granting power or rights to someone or something. For example, "The law confers authority on the agency to regulate environmental pollution."

Common error

Avoid using "confer authority" in casual conversations. This phrase is best suited for formal writing and professional settings where the act of granting power or rights is deliberate and significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confer authority" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of granting or bestowing power or authorization upon someone or something. It signifies a formal or official process of delegating authority, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confer authority" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates the act of granting power or authorization. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage spans across various domains, including news, academia, and encyclopedias, lending itself to formal and structured contexts. Related phrases include ""delegate authority"" and ""grant authorization"", each with slight differences in nuance. When using this phrase, remember that it is more appropriate for formal settings where the act of bestowing power is deliberate and official, avoiding its misuse in casual conversations. Keep in mind that several sources available on Ludwig provide examples of correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delegate authority

Focuses on entrusting responsibilities and decision-making to someone else.

invest with authority

Highlights the act of endowing someone with a specific power or right.

grant authorization

Highlights the act of officially permitting or approving something.

transfer authority

Focuses on the movement of power from one entity to another.

bestow power

Emphasizes the act of formally or ceremoniously granting power.

authorize power

Emphasizes the act of legally or officially empowering.

entrust power

Stresses the element of trust in giving someone control or influence.

give mandate

Implies a formal authorization to act on behalf of someone.

empower individual

Highlights the act of enabling or giving someone the means to act.

assign responsibility

Directly allocates duties and accountability to an individual or group.

FAQs

How is "confer authority" typically used in a sentence?

"Confer authority" is used to indicate the act of granting power or official permission to someone or something. For example, "The board can "delegate authority" to a committee to make decisions on its behalf."

What are some alternatives to "confer authority"?

Alternatives to "confer authority" include "grant authorization", "delegate power", "bestow power", or "invest with authority". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "confer authority" or "give authority"?

"Confer authority" is generally more formal and implies a deliberate and official act of granting power. "Give authority" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For formal settings, "confer authority" is preferred.

In what situations should I use "confer authority" instead of "assign responsibility"?

Use "confer authority" when the focus is on granting the power to make decisions or take actions. Use "assign responsibility" when the focus is on allocating duties and tasks. Conferring authority typically precedes assigning specific responsibilities.