scope of action

USAGE SUMMARY

"scope of action" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity or course of action, or to discuss the range of options open to someone. For example, "Businesses must understand their scope of action and the consequences of their actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Administration officials said their bottom line was that they would not allow the Council to limit Washington's scope of action.

The New York Times

Perhaps not incidentally, Trump, despite his narrow view of this nation's prospects, seems to imagine his own potential scope of action as almost limitless.

The New Yorker

If you're not convinced that the other side is trustworthy, you're going to try to limit their scope of action as much as possible.

The New Yorker

"Ortega is attracting the army, flattering it through this reform by giving it a greater scope of action, allowing it more prerogatives, allowing it to interfere in the civil sphere," he said.

The Guardian

Russian and Chinese diplomats, along with their British and American counterparts, then began intensive efforts to bridge the final impasse over whether the coalition would offer any explicit timetable for ceding power and would give the United Nations greater scope of action.

The New York Times

Declarations about the self-determination of peoples or international economic coöperation the kind of thing that Roosevelt and Churchill announced as Allied war aims in the Atlantic Charter seemed to him not only utopian and unenforceable but dangerously restrictive on a government's scope of action.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The Statute of Gloucester (1278) limited the jurisdiction of local courts and extended the scope of actions for damages.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The paper also presents the scope of actions undertaken by the state, in the context of public investments using BIM.

Procedia Engineering

The prospect of universal massacre understandably puts stress upon anything constraining the scope of actions to prevent it, but the prospect of forced alterations, set-backs or radical changes to a way of life must be less threatening.

SEP

In addition, the policies designed by the nine Ruhr Valley municipalities to support decentralised CHP uptake show a wide scope of actions of how this 'niche' can be further developed.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Furthermore, the broader scope of actions available to a SIPS and WAP (e.g. system separation) will mean that the impact of any hidden failure modes may be far greater than it would be for other protection elements.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategic planning, use "scope of action" to define the boundaries within which decisions and activities should fall. This helps maintain focus and prevent resource dilution.

Common error

Avoid using "scope of action" interchangeably with "course of action". "Scope of action" refers to the range or limits of permissible activities, while "course of action" refers to a specific plan or method for achieving a goal. Using them incorrectly can lead to miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scope of action" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase, denoting the range, extent, or limits of what is possible or permissible within a given situation or activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scope of action" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes the range or limits of possible activities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal and professional contexts like science, news reporting, and business. While many alternative phrases exist, such as "range of activity" and "extent of authority", it's important to use the phrase that best suits the specific context and intended meaning. When writing, avoid confusing it with similar terms like "course of action".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

range of activity

This alternative focuses on the breadth of activities possible, emphasizing the variety and extent of actions that can be taken.

area of influence

This option highlights the degree to which something or someone can affect or control events, decisions, or actions.

sphere of control

This phrase suggests a defined area within which someone or something has authority and can exert control.

latitude of discretion

This alternative emphasizes the freedom to make decisions and act according to one's judgment.

extent of authority

This option specifies the limits and boundaries of one's power and jurisdiction.

degree of empowerment

This highlights the level to which someone has been given power and control over their own life or situation.

field of operation

This phrase refers to the specific area or industry in which a business or organization operates.

reach of impact

This alternative emphasizes the extent to which something or someone can have an effect.

potential for agency

This stresses the capacity or possibility for independent action and decision-making.

capacity for intervention

This emphasizes the capability and opportunity to get involved or take action in a specific situation.

FAQs

How can I use "scope of action" in a sentence?

You can use "scope of action" to describe the range of activities or powers someone or something has. For example, "The new policy broadened the "scope of action" for local authorities."

What's a formal synonym for "scope of action"?

A more formal synonym for "scope of action" could be "extent of authority" or "range of activity", depending on the context.

How does "scope of action" differ from "course of action"?

"Scope of action" refers to the limits within which actions can occur, while "course of action" refers to a specific plan or method to achieve a goal.

In what contexts is "scope of action" most commonly used?

"Scope of action" is commonly used in legal, business, and strategic planning contexts to define the boundaries and limitations of activities or powers.