obtain authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain authority" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to gain or acquire the power or permission to do something. Example: The CEO of the company had to obtain authority from the board of directors before making any major decisions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To obtain authority to intercept the phone and electronic communications of American citizens and permanent residents, the government must only show probable cause that the target has a connection to a foreign government or entity or a foreign terrorist group.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Through the National Council of Students, school, community and district councils, children have the opportunity to express their needs and interests and to obtain authorities' commitment to act on them.

Unicef

When Oldenbarnevelt obtained authority for his supporters in the towns to raise levies of professional soldiers (waardgelders), Maurice acted swiftly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pat D'Amuro, himself a very focused man, has no doubt the FBI would quickly have obtained authority from the Department of Justice to put wiretaps on Mihdhar and Hazmi.

Independent

Having obtained authority in this region, the Islamic State went on to establish what is essentially a state-like structure (Barnes-Dacey 2014).

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Initially, President Vladimir Putin obtained authority from Russia's upper house of parliament to use force to protect ethnic Russians in Crimea.

BBC

Francis Rawdon-Hastings obtained authority from the British government to take action against the Pindaris while performing diplomacy with the principal Maratha leaders to act in concert with him.

Wikipedia

Internationally, pharmacists have obtained authority to prescribe and some pharmacists are prescribing within the primary care/general practice environment [ 26].

BMC Health Services Research

According to newly filed court documents HuffPost obtained, authorities allege a "highly intoxicated" Harp spent the majority of the football game making "crude, vulgar comments" toward the women.

Huffington Post

By leaning in, women would obtain more authority.

The New York Times

The Bush administration, which won a battle in Congress last summer to obtain greater authority to negotiate trade deals, is now pushing bilateral agreements with Chile, Singapore and Central America.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obtain authority", clearly state from whom or what entity the authority is being obtained. This adds clarity and context to your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of the difference between "authority" (the power or right to give orders, make decisions, etc.) and "authorization" (official permission or approval). While related, they are not interchangeable. "Obtain authority" suggests gaining the power itself, while "obtain authorization" implies securing permission to act.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain authority" functions as a verb phrase where "obtain" is the transitive verb and "authority" is the direct object. It describes the action of acquiring or gaining the power or right to do something. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obtain authority" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies acquiring the power or right to do something. Ludwig confirms its versatility across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to specify the source from which the authority is being obtained. While "obtain authority" is about gaining power, remember that it differs slightly from "obtain authorization", which focuses on securing explicit permission. Considering semantically similar phrases such as "acquire authorization" or "secure permission" can also enrich your writing. Steer clear of confusing it with "authorization" as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire authorization

This alternative focuses on acquiring formal permission to perform a specific action.

secure permission

This phrase emphasizes the act of making permission certain or guaranteed.

gain authorization

This suggests a process of gradually acquiring the necessary authorization.

procure authorization

This implies obtaining authorization through careful effort and diligence.

attain authority

This phrase suggests achieving a level of influence or control.

garner approval

This focuses on collecting or gathering positive endorsement from relevant parties.

win approval

This phrase emphasizes the competitive aspect of gaining endorsement.

achieve empowerment

This alternative highlights the result of obtaining authority, which is empowerment.

receive mandate

This suggests a formal conferral of authority, often through an election or vote.

get the nod

This is an informal way of saying that approval has been received.

FAQs

How do I use "obtain authority" in a sentence?

You can use "obtain authority" when you want to express that someone has gained or acquired the power or right to do something. For example: "The project manager had to "obtain authority" from the stakeholders before making any changes to the project scope."

What can I say instead of "obtain authority"?

You can use alternatives like "acquire authorization", "secure permission", or "gain authorization depending on the context.

Which is correct, "obtain authority" or "obtain authorization"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Obtain authority" means to gain the power or right to do something, while "obtain authorization" means to get official permission to do something.

What's the difference between "achieve empowerment" and "obtain authority"?

"Obtain authority" refers to the act of gaining power or permission, while "achieve empowerment" refers to the state of being empowered, which is often the result of obtaining authority. Empowerment implies having the ability to control one's own destiny or influence events.