had the power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had the power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possession of authority or ability in the past. Example: "She had the power to influence the decision-making process in the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Washington had the power.

The New York Times - Sports

"The president had the power of incumbency.

The New York Times

Steve had the power of magical thinking.

The New York Times

He had the power.

The New York Times

It is time people had the power.

The Guardian

You had the power to help people.

The Guardian

Real or imaginary, they had the power to preserve time.

Cornell University

It was clear who had the power in this situation.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, they had the power to decide life or death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Makers of critical components had the power to postpone flights.

The New York Times

And certainly Rockrose had the power to demolish it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had the power", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of power (e.g., authority, influence, ability) is being referred to, making your writing more precise and impactful.

Common error

Don't use "had the power" vaguely. Instead of saying "The manager had the power", specify what the manager could do: "The manager had the power to approve budgets and hire new staff".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had the power" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating past possession of ability, authority, or influence. It describes a state where someone or something possessed the capacity to act or exert control. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had the power" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate past possession of ability, authority, or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While versatile, it benefits from specific context to clarify the nature of the power being described. It commonly appears in News & Media and Academia, making it suitable for both neutral and professional communications. Related phrases such as "possessed the authority" or "wielded influence" offer nuanced alternatives to enrich writing. Overall, understanding its appropriate usage ensures clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possessed the authority

Emphasizes formal control or right, instead of general ability.

held the capacity

Highlights potential or capability, which might be different from actual use.

wielded influence

Focuses on the application of power to affect outcomes.

was in control

Indicates dominance and the ability to manage a situation or people.

exercised authority

Highlights the active use of official power.

commanded the ability

Stresses a skill or competence to do something.

reigned supreme

Implies ultimate authority and dominance over others.

bore the responsibility

Focuses on accountability rather than outright power.

was empowered

Suggests being given the authority or ability by an external source.

owned the capability

Highlights the possession of a certain skill set.

FAQs

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

You can use "had the power" to describe someone's past ability or authority, such as "The president "had the power of incumbency"" or "She "had the power to make the dead quick"".

What are some alternatives to "had the power"?

Alternatives include "possessed the authority", "held the capacity", or "wielded influence", depending on the specific context.

Is "had the power" formal or informal?

"Had the power" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding language and situation will further determine the overall tone.

What's the difference between "had the power" and "had the authority"?

"Had the power" is a more general term indicating ability or control, while "had the authority" specifically refers to the official right or permission to do something.