to exercise authority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to exercise authority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of using power or control over others, often in a formal or organizational context. Example: "The manager has the right to exercise authority over the team to ensure that all tasks are completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

He needs to exercise authority.

The New York Times

Childeric was the last Merovingian to attempt to exercise authority, but he lacked political ability.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The opponents, mostly Democrats, said it would reduce Congress to fiscal lame ducks, unable to exercise authority over federal agencies.

The New York Times

She criticised his suggestions that men were more adapted to "exercise authority or to issue a command" than women.

The Guardian

She criticised his past suggestions that men were more adapted to "exercise authority or to issue a command" than women.

The Guardian

The church, he said, had "adopted policies that would have allowed women to exercise authority over men".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Pedro II began to fully exercise authority and successfully engineered the end of the courtiers' influence by removing them from his inner circle while avoiding any public disruption.

Wikipedia

Rather, parenting is about creating strong families in which parents have to lead and exercise authority – havens from the 24/7 intrusiveness of social media.

The Guardian - Opinion

Similarly, a functioning middle management is important for successful administrative integration (13), as poor managerial capacity can limit the extent to which managers exercise authority over newly allocated roles (36).

Global Health Action

Our study therefore aims to: describe the extent to which horizontal managers exercise authority over HIV M&E coordination, determine factors associated with exercised authority, and explore vertical managers' roles in HIV M&E coordination.

Global Health Action

Business firms create rules to regulate and, thereby, exercise authority over employees.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about leadership or management, consider using "to exercise authority" to emphasize the active use of power to guide and direct.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who is exercising authority. Instead of writing 'Authority was exercised', specify 'The manager exercised authority' for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to exercise authority" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as a verb complement or to express purpose. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to exercise authority" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe the act of using power or control, according to Ludwig. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources, it carries a neutral to professional tone. While alternatives like "to exert influence" and "to wield power" exist, they subtly shift the emphasis. The phrase is best used in contexts where formal power dynamics and clear directives are being discussed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a solid and practical choice in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to exert influence

Focuses on affecting outcomes or decisions, rather than direct command.

to wield power

Emphasizes the possession and use of power, often in a significant or impactful way.

to assert control

Highlights the act of establishing and maintaining dominance or command.

to take command

Focuses on assuming a leadership position and directing actions.

to be in charge

Implies responsibility and oversight, often within a specific domain.

to govern affairs

Suggests managing and directing activities, often in an administrative or political context.

to dictate terms

Focuses on imposing conditions or decisions on others.

to hold sway

Implies having a strong influence or persuasive power over others.

to dominate proceedings

Indicates a position of leadership and control within a structured event or process.

to have jurisdiction

Refers to the legal right and authority to apply the law

FAQs

How can I use "to exercise authority" in a sentence?

You can use "to exercise authority" when describing someone using their power or control in a given situation. For example, "The CEO needed "to exercise authority" to resolve the conflict between departments."

What are some alternatives to "to exercise authority"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to exert influence", "to wield power", or "to assert control".

Is there a difference between "to exercise authority" and "to exert influence"?

"To exercise authority" typically implies a formal right or position of power, while "to exert influence" focuses on affecting decisions or actions, even without formal authority.

When is it appropriate to use "to exercise authority" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in contexts where you are discussing leadership, management, governance, or situations where someone is using their power to make decisions or enforce rules. Using "to exercise authority" is especially effective when precision and clarity are required.