to cede authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to cede authority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of giving up control or power to someone else, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The committee decided to cede authority to the newly appointed chairperson to streamline decision-making."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The state regulators are not eager to cede authority.

The New York Times

Having won an election only in January, Hamas is reluctant to cede authority.

The Economist

"Institutions are reluctant to cede authority over their budgets to the N.C.A.A".

The New York Times

De Blasio has lobbied the governor of New York state to cede authority.

The Guardian

For all their professed suspicion of autocrats, people tend to cede authority precisely to those individuals who want it most.

The New York Times

For all their professed suspicion of authority, people crave hierarchy and tend to cede authority precisely to those individuals who want to take the reins.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Alternatively, it could choose to temporarily cede authority over certain budgetary decisions to European Union/Euro Area representatives," Citigroup concludes.

The Guardian - Business

States whose parties rely on primaries to award delegates typically cede authority to state governments to administer the elections.

The New York Times

At each office, the bosses cede authority to the workers, who decide whether to punish their colleagues with pay cuts, demotions or firings.

The New York Times - Arts

Under the commission's proposals, the C.I.A. would cede authority to the Defense Department for control over paramilitary operations, another effort by the panel to end fragmentation among agencies in the government's war on terrorism.

The New York Times

Conflicting reports about Mr. Mubarak's deteriorating health began to circulate on Tuesday, including one that declared him "clinically dead," just as the military council was attempting to extend its hold on state power indefinitely in the face of growing street protests demanding it cede authority to a newly elected president and reinstate the dissolved parliament.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to cede authority", ensure the context clearly indicates to whom the authority is being transferred and the scope of that authority.

Common error

Avoid using "to cede authority" without specifying the limits or boundaries of the authority being ceded. Ambiguity can lead to confusion and unintended consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to cede authority" functions as an infinitive phrase, often acting as a verb complement or part of a larger verb phrase. It describes the act of relinquishing or transferring power or control. Ludwig provides several examples where this phrase is used to describe formal transfers of power.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to cede authority" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the relinquishment or transfer of power or control. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal contexts, particularly in news, business, and legal domains. While alternatives like "relinquish control" or "transfer power" exist, "to cede authority" often implies a more deliberate and formal process. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the scope of authority being ceded and the recipient of that authority for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to relinquish control

Emphasizes giving up control completely.

to transfer power

Focuses on the act of passing power from one entity to another.

to delegate authority

Highlights assigning authority to someone else, often temporarily.

to surrender control

Implies a more forceful or unwilling relinquishment of control.

to yield power

Suggests giving way to another's power or influence.

to hand over authority

A more informal way of saying to transfer authority.

to assign responsibility

Highlights the act of assigning duties and accountability.

to give up control

A simpler, more direct way of saying to relinquish control.

to empower others

Focuses on giving authority to others to act.

to devolve power

Implies the transfer of power from a central authority to local or regional entities.

FAQs

What does "to cede authority" mean?

The phrase "to cede authority" means to relinquish or surrender power or control to another person or entity. It implies a formal transfer of decision-making capabilities.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to cede authority"?

It's appropriate in formal contexts such as legal agreements, business negotiations, or political discussions where the transfer of power needs to be clearly stated. For instance, a company might "delegate authority" to a manager.

What are some alternatives to "to cede authority"?

You can use alternatives like "relinquish control", "transfer power", or "delegate authority" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "to cede authority to" someone or something?

Yes, it's correct. The preposition "to" is typically used to indicate the recipient of the authority being ceded. For example, "The government decided to cede authority to the local council."