in whose authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in whose authority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the power or permission granted to someone to act or make decisions on behalf of another person or organization. Example: "The committee questioned the decision made by the manager, asking in whose authority such a change was implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Every Kennedy campaign in Boston going back to 1946 had been run by a younger sibling or cousin or in-law whose authority went unchallenged.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was granted a charter by the Colony of Massachusetts in 1650, under whose authority the University of today still operates.

Harvard University

Some in the black community asked by whose authority he gave such a promise.

Independent

But he was still the one conjuring those immensities; the bind was how to acknowledge his own centrality in poems whose authority depended on his insignificance.

The New Yorker

In the nineteen-fifties and sixties, Mailer had depended on the interest and support of an intellectual community, centered in New York City, whose authority extended from the English departments at Columbia and Rutgers to journals like Dissent, Commentary, Partisan Review, and The New York Review of Books.

The New Yorker

On whose authority?

The New York Times - Books

By whose authority?

The New Yorker

Asked under whose authority she was refusing to issue them, she replied: "Under God's authority".

Independent

Who was speaking on whose authority?

BBC

The findings of the behavioural economists have encouraged distrust in those experts whose authority is grounded on judgment and experience.

The Guardian

In all three cases, though, the Russian authorities were sending a single message: There is no court in the world whose authority they recognize.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in whose authority" to inquire about the source of permission or power behind a decision or action. It adds a layer of formality and is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in whose authority" in informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "who authorized this?" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in whose authority" functions as a prepositional phrase used to inquire about the source or basis of someone's power or permission. It introduces a question seeking to identify who authorized a particular action or decision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Academia

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in whose authority" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to formally inquire about the source of power or permission behind an action. Ludwig AI suggests it's best suited for professional or academic settings and carries a formal tone. While grammatically sound, it's less common than alternatives like "under whose authority" or "by whose authority". The absence of examples indicates a rarity in usage, emphasizing the need for context-appropriate application to maintain clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under whose authority

More common and direct way of asking who is responsible.

by whose authority

Another common alternative, similar in formality but emphasizing the act of authorization.

on whose authorization

Highlights the formal approval aspect.

with whose permission

Focuses on the aspect of seeking and gaining consent.

who authorized it

Simplifies the question to focus on the person responsible.

who gave the order

Emphasizes a command or directive.

who signed off on it

Highlights a formal approval process.

at whose direction

Suggests guidance or leadership.

upon whose mandate

Emphasizes a formal assignment of power or responsibility.

with whose endorsement

Highlights support or approval from someone influential.

FAQs

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

Use "in whose authority" to question the legitimacy or source of power behind an action or decision. For example, "The committee questioned, in whose authority was this policy implemented?"

What's a more common alternative to "in whose authority"?

A more common alternative is "under whose authority", which carries a similar meaning but may be perceived as slightly less formal.

When is it appropriate to use "in whose authority"?

It is appropriate in formal settings like legal proceedings, official inquiries, or academic discussions where you need to formally question the basis of someone's power or decision-making.

Is "by whose authority" interchangeable with "in whose authority"?

Yes, "by whose authority" is largely interchangeable and shares the same level of formality. Both phrases question the source of authorization.