under the authority of

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the authority of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone or something acting with the approval of a higher power or authority. For example, "The police are acting under the authority of the mayor's office".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

European Journal of Neuroscience

All procedures were conducted under the authority of UK Home Office personal and project licences held by the authors.

European Journal of Neuroscience

This mission falls under the authority of the African Union (AU), rather than the UN.

The Economist

Logistics, broadly defined, falls under the authority of nine ministries and commissions.

The Economist

The National Police are under the authority of the Ministry of Government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Croatian police force, under the authority of the central government, has been reformed since independence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Normal civilian police services are under the authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The diocese, under the authority of a bishop, is the basic administrative unit throughout the Communion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under the authority of the Morrill Act of 1862, it became a land-grant institution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At present, most of the country's armed men are under the authority of local commanders.

The Economist

European Catholic prelates tried to bring autonomous Thomas Christian churches under the authority of Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under the authority of", ensure clarity about who or what the authority is. This adds precision and credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "under the authority of" without clearly specifying the authority. Ambiguity can undermine the legitimacy and impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the authority of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate that an action, decision, or state is sanctioned, governed, or controlled by a specific entity or source of power. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under the authority of" is a versatile prepositional phrase commonly used to indicate that an action or decision is sanctioned or governed by a specific entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable in many contexts. It appears frequently in science, news and media, and encyclopedias. When writing, ensure you clearly identify the authority to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "with the authorization of" or "by the power vested in" can be used depending on the context to add variety to your writing. In summary, "under the authority of" is a valuable tool for expressing legitimacy and accountability in a clear and formal manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the authorization of

Emphasizes formal permission or approval.

by the power vested in

Highlights the legal or official capacity to act.

with the sanction of

Focuses on endorsement or approval, often in a formal sense.

subject to the jurisdiction of

Indicates a legal or administrative control.

governed by

Implies regulation and control by a specific entity or set of rules.

overseen by

Suggests a supervisory role with some level of control.

with the backing of

Highlights support and approval from a higher entity.

by order of

Implies a direct command from an authority.

pursuant to

Indicates action taken in accordance with a specific law or regulation.

accountable to

Highlights the responsibility and obligation to report to a superior authority.

FAQs

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

Use "under the authority of" to indicate that an action or decision is being carried out with the permission or mandate of a specific entity. For example, "The investigation was conducted under the authority of the Justice Department."

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

You can use alternatives like "with the authorization of", "by the power vested in", or "with the sanction of depending on the context".

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

"Under the authority of" often implies a more formal or official context, suggesting a legal or organizational mandate. "With the permission of" is generally less formal and indicates consent for a specific action.

What does it mean when something is done "under the authority of" a particular law?

When an action is taken "under the authority of" a law, it means that the action is legally justified and compliant with the provisions and requirements outlined in that law.