principal authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal authority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person or organization that holds the most power or has the most influence in a particular situation or subject. Example: The principal authority on climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released a report outlining the urgent need for global action to reduce carbon emissions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

What will the new council do for them? 4. Submit your petition to your principal authority and wait.

The Guardian

This is the "specific direction" standard introduced this year by the presiding judge, Theodor Meron, an American, and cited as the principal authority in Thursday's decision to acquit.

The New York Times

But a parish does have to fall within one principal authority, so it can't cross district, unitary authority, or London borough lines.

The Guardian

If you win the referendum, and the principal authority decides the parish is to go ahead, a temporary council will be formed.

The Guardian

But in spite of this direct localised effect, it is the (distant) principal authority that receives all of the business rates to disburse as it chooses.

The Guardian

We wrote to Tewkesbury borough council who wished us Godspeed and allocated a senior officer to connect between community concerns and principal authority policy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Dionysius used Aquinas, Pseudo-Dionysius, and the Dutch mystic Jan van Ruysbroeck as principal authorities in writing his classic, De contemplatione.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Publius Herennius Dexippus, (born c. 210 died after 270), Roman historian and Athenian statesman, one of the principal authorities for the history of the mid-3rd century ad.

Britannica

He thus greatly affected the Renaissance conception of the configuration of the Earth and so played an important, if indirect, role in the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, who cited Strabo among his principal authorities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

C. 210 270 Publius Herennius Dexippus, (born c. 210 died after 270) Roman historian and Athenian statesman, one of the principal authorities for the history of the mid-3rd century ad.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On local government, he complains England has 353 principal authorities, some unitary and some operating as two tiers with district and county councils, a structure, he describes as " baffling and bears no relation to modern economic activity".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "principal authority", ensure the context clearly establishes the area or subject over which the authority presides. For example, "the principal authority on constitutional law."

Common error

Avoid confusing "principal", meaning main or primary, with "principle", meaning a fundamental truth or proposition. Always double-check your spelling to ensure you're conveying the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal authority" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the primary entity that holds power, control, or expertise in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

26%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal authority" correctly identifies the primary source of power, control, or expertise. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and finds frequent use in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. While synonyms like "chief authority" and "leading authority" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. Remember to distinguish "principal" from "principle" to avoid common errors. Understanding its function and purpose is crucial for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chief authority

Replaces "principal" with "chief", emphasizing the highest rank or position of authority.

leading authority

Focuses on the idea of being the most prominent or influential authority.

primary authority

Uses "primary" instead of "principal", indicating the main or most important authority.

main authority

A simpler substitution, using "main" to denote the most significant authority.

supreme authority

Suggests the highest level of authority, without any superior.

dominant authority

Highlights the controlling or prevailing influence of the authority.

key authority

Emphasizes the crucial or essential nature of the authority.

foremost authority

Implies the authority is at the front or head, suggesting prominence.

central authority

Indicates the authority is at the center or core, implying control.

top authority

A colloquial alternative suggesting the highest or best authority.

FAQs

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

You can use "principal authority" to refer to the main or leading source of power or expertise. For instance, "The United Nations is the principal authority for international peacekeeping".

What's the difference between "principal authority" and "leading authority"?

"Principal authority" suggests the main source of power or control, while "leading authority" emphasizes expertise and influence. They're often interchangeable but have slightly different nuances.

Are there synonyms for "principal authority"?

Yes, you can use synonyms like "chief authority", "primary authority", or "supreme authority" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "principle authority"?

No, the correct phrase is "principal authority". "Principal" refers to the main or most important entity, whereas "principle" refers to a fundamental rule or belief.