implied authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "implied authority" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the authority that is not explicitly stated or granted, but is assumed or implied based on the circumstances or position of an individual. Example: The CEO of the company had implied authority to make any necessary decisions regarding the project, even though it was not explicitly stated in his job description.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mica, whose accent allows for little in the way of inflection, showed her admirable sense of timing by punctuating the conversation with simple sentences delivered in a manner that implied authority or indifference, or both.

The New Yorker

In the Norwegian edition, the book's dedication reads: a) "This book is dedicated to Untruths, for everything" b) "For Dissembling, my everything" c) "For Rental Unit, my north star" d) "Lies Flat, I can't live without you" 4. Mary Morris was told that in German, the name of her memoir about traveling in Mexico, "Nothing to Declare," implied authority and hence fascism.

The New York Times

"We also allege that Mr. Girkin acted with either the actual, expressed, tacit or implied authority of the Russian government," Wisner said.

Los Angeles Times

Despite what you might think due to this implied authority on the matter, Moon does not speak Māori himself, nor has he been involved in this conversation since its roots.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This implies authority, stature and bearing.

Independent

They are necessarily modest because, unlike a positive review, a negative one implies authority, and authority has become something ambiguous in our age of quick, teeming Internet response, where all the old critical standards and parameters are in the process of vanishing and being reinvented.

The New Yorker

In political science, the bases of legitimacy are consensus and identity, implying authority and order.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Leadership implies authority in the broadest sense of the word and not simply the power to wield the stick [ 11].

BMC Health Services Research

DeMille-Wagman also argued that PHH was trying to have it both ways by complaining that CFPB's power is concentrated in the hands of its director Richard Cordray, but also bemoaning Cordray's "Hydra-headed authority," implying diffuse authority.

Huffington Post

Al-Ma'mun replied by declaring himself imam, a religious title which shied of directly challenging the Caliph but nevertheless implied independent authority, as well as hearkening back to the early days of the Hashimiyya movement which had carried the Abbasids to power.

Wikipedia

It is under this premise that the authority would not allow the roller derby shoot, reasoning that any images inside the terminal would imply the authority's endorsement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "implied authority", ensure the context clearly supports the assumption of authority to avoid ambiguity. Explicitly define the scope of authority when possible to prevent misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "implied authority" is universally recognized. Always consider the audience and their understanding of the situation, and be prepared to justify the basis of the implied authority if challenged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "implied authority" functions as a noun phrase, where "implied" acts as an adjective modifying "authority". It refers to power or control that is not directly stated but is understood or inferred.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "implied authority" refers to a power dynamic that is not explicitly stated but understood. As Ludwig AI indicated, this phrase is grammatically correct and common, but not extremely frequent. It is used to describe situations where someone has power through context or position. While "implied authority" can be found in varied contexts, from news reports to scientific papers and encyclopedias, awareness of audience and the potential need to justify its basis are paramount to avoid misunderstanding. Alternatives, such as "tacit authority" or "unstated authority", offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tacit authority

This alternative emphasizes the unspoken agreement or understanding that confers authority.

unstated authority

This option highlights the absence of explicit declaration of authority.

implicit authority

Similar to "implied authority", but focuses on the inherent nature of the authority.

presumed authority

This suggests authority that is taken for granted, possibly without full justification.

assumed authority

Highlights the act of taking on authority, which may or may not be legitimate.

de facto authority

This indicates authority that exists in practice, regardless of legal or formal standing.

inherent authority

This emphasizes that the authority is a natural or essential part of someone's role or position.

understood authority

Focuses on the mutual comprehension of authority without needing explicit statement.

inferred authority

This suggests authority that is deduced from available information or circumstances.

customary authority

This indicates authority derived from long-standing tradition or practice.

FAQs

How is "implied authority" different from express authority?

"Implied authority" is derived from context or position, while express authority is explicitly granted. The former is assumed, while the latter is stated.

What are some synonyms for "implied authority"?

Alternatives include "tacit authority", "unstated authority", or "implicit authority", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of unspoken power.

How can I use "implied authority" in a sentence?

Example: The project manager held "implied authority" to allocate resources, even though it wasn't formally documented.

What factors contribute to the existence of "implied authority"?

"Implied authority" often arises from a combination of experience, position, and the expectations of others within an organization or social structure.