under authority of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under authority of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is acting with permission or power granted by a higher authority or organization. Example: "The document was signed under authority of the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

No letter of such a class of domestic origin shall be opened except under authority of a search warrant authorized by law, or by an officer or employee of the Postal Service for the sole purpose of determining an address at which the letter can be delivered, or pursuant to the authorization of the addressee.

Cornell University

The President may also make provision, on the basis of advances of funds or reimbursement to the United States, for training for citizens of the United States, other than those referred to in subsection (a) of this section, who have been selected for service abroad in programs not carried out under authority of this chapter which are similar to those authorized by this chapter.

Cornell University

No funds may be appropriated for the acquisition of any property under authority of this section unless such funds have been specifically authorized for such purpose in a military construction authorization act, and no moneys in the fund created pursuant to subsection (d) of this section may be expended for any purpose except as may be provided in appropriation Acts.

Cornell University

Under authority of Art.

Cornell University

All penalties collected under authority of this paragraph shall be deposited into the Treasury.

Cornell University

Production under authority of this statute and the permits issued thereunder was found to involve intolerable waste.

Cornell University

The appellants have argued that Idlewild's operations do not in fact conform to the various federal statutory and administrative standards under authority of which the operations are conducted.

Cornell University

July 7, 1902, the Secretary of the Interior under authority of the Act of February 15 , 1901 c. 372, 31 Stat.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In the same way a sales associate is under the authority of their managers, a content creator is under the authority of their audience.

HuffPost

These experiments were conducted under the authority of UK Home Office project and personal licenses held by the authors.

European Journal of Neuroscience

The Graduate Academic Performance Group acts under the authority of the Committee on Graduate Programs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under authority of", ensure the source of authority is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the act, regulation, or individual granting the authority.

Common error

Avoid using "under authority of" without specifying the source of the authority. Vague statements like "acting under authority" can be unclear and undermine the legitimacy of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under authority of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, noun, or clause. It indicates that an action or state is legitimized or enabled by a specific power, law, or permission. Ludwig provides multiple examples of its usage, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

42%

News & Media

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under authority of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate actions or states are legitimized by a specific power or permission. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across varied contexts. It's most common in academia, news, and scientific writing, where formal language is standard. When employing the phrase, it's best to specify the exact source of authority for clarity. Similar phrases include "by virtue of" and "pursuant to", offering stylistic alternatives. Overall, "under authority of" is a reliable choice in formal communication when emphasizing the legitimacy of an action or decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by the authorization of

Directly substitutes "under authority of" with a phrase emphasizing the act of authorizing.

by virtue of

Replaces "under authority of" with a more concise phrase indicating something is done because of a specific power or right.

sanctioned by

Highlights that an action has been officially approved or permitted.

pursuant to

A formal alternative indicating action taken in accordance with a law, regulation, or agreement.

in accordance with

Implies that actions are in agreement or compliance with established rules or guidelines.

empowered by

Focuses on the granting of power or authority to act.

with the backing of

Indicates support or approval from a higher power or organization.

with the mandate of

Emphasizes that an action is carried out because of a specific order or instruction.

on the strength of

Suggests that an action is based on the validity or power of something else.

by permission of

Replaces "authority" with "permission", indicating a granted allowance to act.

FAQs

How can I use "under authority of" in a sentence?

You can use "under authority of" to indicate that an action is being performed with the permission or power granted by a specific source. For example, "The investigation was conducted under authority of the court order."

What phrases are similar to "under authority of"?

Similar phrases include "by virtue of", "pursuant to", and "by the authorization of", each conveying a slightly different nuance of legitimation.

Is it better to use "under authority of" or "with the authority of"?

Both "under authority of" and "with the authority of" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. "Under authority of" might suggest a more direct and immediate application of the authority.

Can I use "under authority of" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "under authority of" is generally more suited for formal or professional contexts. In informal writing, simpler alternatives like "with permission from" or "on behalf of" might be more appropriate.