legitimate authority

USAGE SUMMARY

"legitimate authority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to an authority that is valid or lawful. For example, "Employers are to be respected as a legitimate authority within the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Corruption is the illegal use of legitimate authority.

Stanford University

"He remains our interlocutor and the legitimate authority," she said.

The New York Times

So understood, physicians do not have legitimate authority over their patients, and patients do not have legitimate authority over their physicians.

Harvard University

God, it seems, may be a legitimate authority in the Bible Belt, but not in Babylon.

The New York Times

Nearly 60 countries have acknowledged the NTC as Libya's legitimate authority.

Independent

De Gaulle, on the other hand, wanted to impose himself as the legitimate authority.

The Guardian

"This is a legitimate authority that the Congress has," he told ABC's This Week.

The Guardian

Haiti today is an occupied country, with almost no legitimate authority.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their reflexive opposition also reflects their refusal to cede any legitimate authority to the president.

The Guardian - Opinion

By "barbarism" Sarmiento meant the lack of stable government based on legitimate authority.

The New York Times - Books

Celebrities and other high profile types can also be seen as "legitimate authority figures".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legitimate authority", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis of that legitimacy, whether it's legal, moral, or traditional.

Common error

Avoid assuming that what constitutes "legitimate authority" is universally agreed upon; clearly define the criteria within your specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate authority" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It denotes an entity or body possessing recognized and accepted power or control. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate authority" is a commonly used noun phrase that denotes an entity or body with recognized and accepted power or control. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its legitimacy can stem from legal, moral, or traditional grounds, and it's crucial to establish the basis of this legitimacy clearly. While widely used in news, academic, and scientific contexts, awareness of potential misinterpretations, such as assuming universal recognition, is essential for effective communication. Alternatives like "valid authority" or "rightful authority" can provide nuanced expressions depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid authority

Replaces "legitimate" with "valid", emphasizing the legal or factual basis of the authority.

rightful authority

Substitutes "legitimate" with "rightful", highlighting the moral or just basis of the authority.

justified authority

Replaces "legitimate" with "justified", emphasizing the reasoned or warranted basis of the authority.

recognized authority

Focuses on the acceptance or acknowledgement of the authority by others.

lawful authority

Replaces "legitimate" with "lawful", emphasizing adherence to legal precepts.

duly constituted authority

Emphasizes that the authority was established following proper procedures.

official authority

Highlights that the authority derives from an official position or role.

sanctioned authority

Stresses the approval or authorization of the authority by a higher power or body.

empowered authority

Focuses on the granting of power or authorization to the authority.

accepted authority

Highlights authority that is generally agreed upon.

FAQs

How is "legitimate authority" used in a sentence?

You can use "legitimate authority" to describe individuals, organizations, or institutions that possess rightful power or control, such as: "The government is the "legitimate authority" to enforce laws".

What are some alternatives to "legitimate authority"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "valid authority", "rightful authority", or "recognized authority".

What distinguishes "legitimate authority" from de facto authority?

"Legitimate authority" implies a right to rule, often based on law or ethics, while de facto authority simply means possessing power, regardless of its justification. It is different from the idea of "illegal authority".

When might questioning "legitimate authority" be justified?

Questioning "legitimate authority" can be justified when the authority acts unjustly, violates fundamental rights, or loses the consent of the governed. In this case, the authority may no longer be seen as "fair authority".