exertion of power

USAGE SUMMARY

"exertion of power" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It typically refers to the use or application of power or influence. Example: The exertion of his political power allowed him to pass the controversial legislation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

In those films, restraint in acting matches the understated exertion of power by the filmmakers who were confident in it.

The New Yorker

This exertion of power also extended to what and who could and couldn't be shown in movies.

The New Yorker

I overheard him conducting a brief business call from his car that was an object lesson in the exertion of power.

The New Yorker

"It is one thing to terrorise and kill but to dismember and eat parts of the victims takes it to another level of the exertion of power".

The Guardian

L.W.: The Administration and a lot of Americans have hold of one truth, which is: the only thing Arabs respect is power and the exertion of power.

The New Yorker

As in a Western, where the abstractions of modern bureaucracy don't exist and all government is hands-on, the exertion of power in the Mob sphere is bluntly physical.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Moreover, the world's history is full of barbaric exertions of power.

The New Yorker

The conclusion of the Zimmerman trial, the Supreme Court's recent rulings on voting rights and affirmative action, and New York's stop-and-frisk practices represent exertions of power that turn humans into one-dimensional beings to be feared, not to be trusted as full citizens, best dealt with by the full strength of our law-enforcement agencies.

The New Yorker

Dispute system design (DSD) experts recommend processes that emphasize the identification of the disputing parties' interests and that avoid reliance on exertions of power or resort to rights.

The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety

Upstream the supply chain, the exertion of market power might theoretically hit beet producers (e.g. in case industrial oligopsony with market power occurs), thus reducing the effectiveness of Common Agricultural Policy CAPP) measures on the setting of sugar beet price.

Agricultural and Food Economics

It's hard to recall a movie that's as viscerally thrilling and as deadly boring as "Gravity," a colossal and impressive exertion of brain power aimed at overriding at obviating the use of brain power.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exertion of power" when you want to emphasize the act of using power or influence, especially in a deliberate or forceful way.

Common error

Avoid using "exertion of power" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exertion of power" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act or process of using power or influence, as supported by examples in Ludwig and confirmed by Ludwig AI. The AI classifies it as correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exertion of power" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes the act of using power or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and widely accepted expression. Predominantly found in news and media and scientific contexts, the phrase serves to analyze situations with a neutral to formal tone. While alternatives like "exercise of authority" or "application of influence" exist, "exertion of power" is particularly useful for emphasizing deliberate or forceful actions. Avoid using it in overly casual settings to maintain an appropriate register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wielding of power

Conveys a sense of skill and control in using power.

exercise of authority

Focuses more on the formal right to use power.

assertion of control

Highlights a firm and confident declaration of power.

application of influence

Highlights the impact and effect of power.

employment of influence

Focuses on actively putting influence to work.

display of dominance

Emphasizes the outward manifestation of power.

imposition of authority

Suggests a more forceful and potentially unwelcome use of power.

implementation of control

Suggests a structured and deliberate use of power.

administration of rule

Implies a structured and managed system of power.

use of force

Implies a more direct and sometimes aggressive application of power.

FAQs

How can I use "exertion of power" in a sentence?

You can use "exertion of power" to describe instances where someone is actively using their influence or authority, such as: "The dictator's "exertion of power" silenced all opposition."

What's a less formal way to say "exertion of power"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "use of authority", "exercise of control", or "application of influence".

Is "exertion of power" the same as "abuse of power"?

No, "exertion of power" simply refers to the use of power, while "abuse of power" implies that the power is being used in a harmful or unethical way. The former is neutral, while the latter is negative.

What are some examples of the "exertion of power" in history?

Historical examples of the "exertion of power" could include a king issuing a decree, a general commanding troops, or a company dominating a market. These all show power being actively used to achieve a specific outcome.