power of authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "power of authority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the influence or control that comes from a position of authority or power in various contexts, such as governance, management, or social structures. Example: "The power of authority can significantly impact decision-making processes within an organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In contrast, and contributing to the declining power of authority and solidarity, individualism is the dominant force of our times.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Reinstating the power of authority figures and the mainstream media will not fix the problem, because the super rich have their own harems of kept academics at elite universities, plus corporate propaganda machines like the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute".

The New York Times

"Although there are no legal issues whatsoever regarding the sale of lots six and seven by Banksy, FAAM convinced its consignors to withdraw these lots from the auction and take back the power of authority of these works," he said.

BBC

Exemplified by students receiving information passively, the teacher exercising power of authority, students working individually, and emphasis given to memorization and rote recitation rather than active concept learning, among other causes.

International Journal of STEM Education

Though the Stanford Prison Experiment was meant to explore the power of authority and social roles over individual identity, in the context of Westworld, it speaks to what people will do when given permission, even encouraged, to be cruel.

Vice

It would be so outside of anything I am familiar with, yet I have the power of authority to say, "This is what it is," and that's the reference.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The power of authorities in Brussels to intervene is limited.

The Economist

No internet businesses were willing to mount a public criticism of the coalition's controversial plans on Monday, but many privately raised fears over the power of authorities to see who is contacting whom online in real time.

The Guardian

This period further enhanced the status of the Christians and eroded the power of authorities to protect the Jews.

Wikipedia

Previously, the Romanian Criminal Code did not recognize domestic violence as an actual crime, and the power of authorities to intervene was limited.

BMC Public Health

Chamberlains (soba-yōnin) who handled communications with the senior councillors (rōjū), gained strong powers of authority as his spokesmen when they won the shogun's confidence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing hierarchical structures, ensure the context clearly defines the source and limits of the "power of authority" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "power of authority" to describe situations where authority is exerted oppressively or without justification. Authoritarianism implies a misuse of power, while "power of authority" itself is neutral.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "power of authority" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, describing the capacity or ability stemming from a recognized or official position, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "power of authority" is a grammatically correct noun phrase denoting the capacity to influence or control stemming from a recognized position. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. Understanding its correct usage helps avoid confusion with related concepts like authoritarianism. Alternatives such as "influence of authority" and "authority's power" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influence of authority

Focuses on the impact and sway that authority holds, rather than its inherent strength.

authority's power

Reverses the order of words for a slight shift in emphasis, highlighting authority as the subject.

control of authority

Emphasizes the element of control wielded by those in positions of authority.

legitimate power

Focuses on power derived from a recognized or lawful authority.

official authority

Highlights the formal and sanctioned aspect of the authority in question.

governing power

Refers to the power associated with the act of governing or ruling.

rule of power

Describes a system where power dictates actions and decisions.

clout of authority

Uses a more informal term, 'clout', to denote the influence and impact of authority.

jurisdiction

Refers to the scope of authority or control.

command

This term implies the ability to give orders and expect obedience.

FAQs

How can I use "power of authority" in a sentence?

You can use "power of authority" to describe the influence someone has due to their official position. For example, "The manager used their "power of authority" to implement the new policy".

What is a synonym for "power of authority"?

Synonyms for "power of authority" include "influence of authority", "authority's power", or "control of authority" depending on the specific context.

Is "power of authority" the same as "abuse of power"?

No, "power of authority" refers to the legitimate influence associated with a position, while "abuse of power" describes the misuse of that influence for personal gain or oppression. They are contrasting concepts.

Which is more appropriate, "power of authority" or "authority's power"?

Both "power of authority" and "authority's power" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired emphasis; "power of authority" highlights the nature of the power itself, while "authority's power" emphasizes the possessor of the power.