he is powerless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is powerless" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who lacks the ability or authority to influence a situation or outcome. Example: "Despite his efforts to change the policy, he is powerless to make any real impact on the decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Whatever his destination, he is powerless to affect it.

The New York Times - Arts

But Coriolanus so scorns Rome's common people that he is powerless on the political playing field.

The New York Times - Arts

But in death he is powerless to save the divided party he has left behind.

The Guardian

He is powerless to protect his charges, however, against another sinister threat: polio.

The Guardian - Books

Jenkins might as well have said he is powerless to resist the annual bonus-grab.

The Guardian - Business

But he is powerless to overturn the court's ruling.Some employers handled last year's job cuts in remarkably insensitive ways.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

He was powerless.

The New York Times

Woods seemed to be saying he was powerless.

The New York Times - Sports

He was powerless to stop them, the master replied.

The New York Times

But in India, without English, he was powerless.

The New York Times

"He's powerless over what his son did".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is powerless", ensure the context clearly indicates the source or reason for his lack of power. For example, specify if it's due to legal constraints, lack of resources, or social factors.

Common error

Avoid using "he is powerless" when the individual actually has some degree of influence or control. Overstating the lack of power can weaken your argument or misrepresent the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is powerless" functions as a declarative statement indicating a lack of ability, authority, or control. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse contexts, affirming its role in expressing incapacity or ineffectiveness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is powerless" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates a lack of authority or control. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers diverse examples across various contexts, predominantly within the news and media landscape. While its meaning is straightforward, understanding the specific nuances and choosing appropriate alternatives like "he lacks authority" or "he is ineffective" can enhance the precision of your writing. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring it accurately reflects the extent of the individual's powerlessness and the specific context in which it applies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is helpless

This emphasizes a state of being unable to assist or protect oneself or others.

he has no influence

This suggests a lack of impact on decisions or events.

he is ineffective

This highlights the lack of desired outcomes despite effort.

he lacks authority

This alternative focuses on the absence of formal control or command.

he is without agency

This implies a lack of capacity to act independently or make choices.

he is unable to act

This emphasizes the inability to perform a specific action.

he is a pawn

This suggests being controlled by others, lacking personal power.

he cannot intervene

This suggests a situation where interference is impossible.

he is under someone's thumb

This idiom indicates being controlled or dominated by another person.

he is at a standstill

This phrase implies a state of inactivity due to a lack of power.

FAQs

How can I use "he is powerless" in a sentence?

You can use "he is powerless" to describe a situation where someone lacks the ability or authority to change an outcome, such as, "Despite his intentions, "he is powerless" to stop the company's decision".

What are some alternatives to saying "he is powerless"?

Alternatives include phrases like "he lacks authority", "he has no influence", or "he is ineffective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "he is powerless" or "he feels powerless"?

"He is powerless" indicates an objective lack of ability, while "he feels powerless" suggests a subjective feeling of lacking control. The best choice depends on whether you're describing an objective reality or someone's perception.

What is the difference between "he is powerless" and "he is helpless"?

"He is powerless" typically refers to a lack of authority or control over a situation, whereas "he is helpless" suggests an inability to assist or protect himself or others. Powerlessness relates to external control, while helplessness relates to personal capability.