reduce the authority of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the authority of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of diminishing someone's power, control, or influence in a particular context. Example: "The new policy aims to reduce the authority of the board in decision-making processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

e. reduce the authority of the colonial legislatures.

The New York Times

The coalition is considering how to reduce the authority of the president, an American ally, and to strengthen Pakistan's return to democracy after eight years of military rule.

The New York Times

Most Republicans in Congress and many Democrats want to reduce the authority of the agency that now runs Medicare, the Health Care Financing Administration.

The New York Times

The interviews and correspondence from January show that the Police Department has sought to reduce the authority of the Office of Emergency Management.

The New York Times

Government by such means would reduce the authority of the cabinet and it would increase informal, unaccountable decision-making between a small clique of ministers and their advisers.

The Guardian - Opinion

That government is now in turmoil after the prime minister's party sided with pro-Russia groups on a measure to reduce the authority of the presidency, held by pro-western leader Victor Yushchenko.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

One of these is the waning of American global power, perforce reducing the authority of the President of the United States in the international arena.

The New York Times

Massive levels of abstention – almost 60% – reduces the authority of the success, and a truly successful party cannot be limited to winning an election few voters consider important.

The Guardian - Opinion

And they reduced the authority of regulators by giving them power to restrict only incentive-based pay arrangements instead of any kind of compensation.

The New York Times

Investors in shares and bonds preferred to adopt a wait-and-see approach ahead of the Italian referendum, which supporters hope will simplify the country's lawmaking system by reducing the authority of one of its parliamentary chambers.

The Guardian

In 1976, Brown had signed a "determinate" sentencing law, which reduced the authority of parole boards to decide when an inmate could be released, and prescribed fixed terms for most crimes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduce the authority of", ensure the context clearly defines whose authority is being reduced and what the implications are. Be specific about the reasons and consequences of this reduction to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the effect of reducing authority. Use precise language to describe the actual change, rather than resorting to hyperbole that might misrepresent the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the authority of" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action to diminish or lessen someone's power or control. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment confirming its correctness and usability in English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce the authority of" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the act of diminishing someone's power or control. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates it's most commonly found in news and media, academic and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to clearly define whose authority is being reduced and the specific implications of that change. Alternatives such as "lessen the power of" or "diminish the control of" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Be mindful to avoid overstating the impact and ensure precise language to accurately represent the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessen the power of

Changes the verb from "reduce" to "lessen", offering a more subtle nuance in diminishing power.

diminish the control of

Replaces "authority" with "control", suggesting a reduction in direct management or oversight.

curtail the influence of

Uses "curtail" to imply a restriction or limitation of someone's impact or sway.

weaken the position of

Focuses on undermining someone's standing or status within a hierarchy.

undermine the power of

Suggests a more insidious or gradual erosion of authority.

restrict the mandate of

Limits the scope or jurisdiction of someone's official duties or permissions.

limit the scope of

Focuses on defining and constricting the boundaries of authority.

scale back the control over

Implies a proportional decrease in the amount of control exercised.

decentralize the power of

Transfers authority away from a central entity to distribute it among others.

erode the standing of

Implies a slow, degenerative process that diminishes authority over time.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce the authority of" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce the authority of" to describe actions that diminish someone's power or control. For example, "The new regulations aim to reduce the authority of the department heads in financial decisions."

What are some alternatives to "reduce the authority of"?

Alternatives include "lessen the power of", "diminish the control of", or "curtail the influence of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "reduce the authority of" or "decrease the authority of"?

Both "reduce the authority of" and "decrease the authority of" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference, though "reduce" might imply a more active effort to diminish authority.

What's the difference between "reduce the authority of" and "limit the authority of"?

"Reduce the authority of" suggests a lessening of existing power, while "limit the scope of" implies setting boundaries or restrictions on the extent of that power. The former is about diminishing, and the latter is about constraining.