in their power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in their power" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who has the ability or means to do something. For example: "The governor has the ability to make great change in the state, but only if it is within their power."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It wasn't in their power, anyway.

Independent

You put yourself in their power.

The Guardian

Such rhythms can be almost biblical in their power.

The New York Times

"They did everything in their power to bury me".

The New York Times

They have it in their power to make a statement.

The Guardian - Sport

How Murdoch and Dacre will revel in their power.

The Guardian - Opinion

The mooter question is whether it is in their power.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said rebel forces were "doing everything in their power to rescue people".

The New York Times

Nehru and his heirs, relatively secure in their power, failed to deal adequately with those imperatives.

The Economist

Organisms have evolved to do everything in their power to avoid being extinguished.

The New York Times - Science

In their power, complexity and unease, these are stand-alone images.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their power" to clearly indicate that someone has the authority or capacity to take a specific action or achieve a particular outcome. For instance, "It is in their power to change the company's policy."

Common error

Avoid using "in their power" interchangeably with phrases like "under their control" or "at their disposal" if the intended meaning is not about ability or authority but rather about direct management or available resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their power" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the scope or extent of someone's ability or authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in their power" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates the extent of someone's ability or authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and frequently used across various contexts. Its primary function is to emphasize capacity or jurisdiction. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, use "in their power" to clearly indicate that someone has the authority or capacity to take a specific action, ensuring that the context is about ability rather than direct control or available resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within their capabilities

Focuses on the extent of their skills and potential.

under their jurisdiction

Highlights the legal or official scope of their authority.

subject to their control

Emphasizes direct management and command.

at their disposal

Refers to resources or options available for use.

within their means

Highlights the financial or material capacity to act.

to the extent of their influence

Focuses on the degree to which they can sway or affect outcomes.

according to their discretion

Highlights the power to decide based on their own judgment.

dependent on their say

Emphasizes that the outcome hinges on their decision.

contingent upon their approval

Highlights that something is reliant on them giving the go-ahead.

it's up to them

Focuses on personal responsability for deciding or completing something.

FAQs

How can I use "in their power" in a sentence?

You can use "in their power" to indicate that someone or a group has the ability or authority to do something. For example, "It is "in their power" to make the final decision."

What are some alternatives to using "in their power"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "within their capabilities", "under their jurisdiction", or "subject to their control", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "within their power" instead of "in their power"?

While both are grammatically correct, "in their power" is more commonly used to refer to authority or ability, while "within their power" is appropriate if the context is related to the range of capabilities.

What's the difference between "in their power" and "at their disposal"?

"In their power" refers to the ability or authority to do something, while "at their disposal" refers to resources or options that are available for use. They are not interchangeable.