wield authority over

USAGE SUMMARY

"wield authority over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to emphasize the control one person or thing has over another. For example, "The leader of the group wielded authority over all the members in his organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Wukan's land scandal reaches into layers of higher governments whose territory includes the village, and who wield authority over village leaders.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But Sony's recent leaders have had trouble wielding authority over the sprawling company.

The New York Times

The Transportation Security Administration wields authority over pipeline security but has yet to promulgate industry-wide standards for computer security, relying instead on the voluntary adoption of best practices.

The New York Times

Ukraine has no "Kremlin", wielding authority over all-comers, but that does not make it clean or well-governed.What about the argument that economic development, at least in its early stages, is best pursued under a benign despot? Lee Kuan Yew, an ex-prime minister of Singapore, once asserted that democracy leads to "disorderly conduct", disrupting material progress.

The Economist

The patron may wield authority that the client may seek to tap into to access what he or she perceives as desirable.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Many of the perpetrators continue to wield authority and influence in East Timor's nearest neighbor.

Wikipedia

The fact that Mr. Morsi and the field marshal were in the same room was significant, since there has been a struggle between the president and the military over who wields authority in Egypt.

The New York Times

The fact that Mr. Morsi and Field Marshal Tantawi were in the same room was significant because the president and the military have been struggling over who wields authority in Egypt.

The New York Times

Wielding authority over a population of some 10 million people and an annual multibillion-dollar budget, the supervisors oversee the second biggest municipal government in the country, exceeded only by that of New York City.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is important the captain wields authority.

BBC

Minority politicians have long wielded authority, if not power, in its various high offices.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wield authority over", ensure that the subject actually possesses legitimate power or control, not merely influence or suggestion.

Common error

Avoid using "wield authority over" when describing situations where influence is exerted without legitimate or recognized power. For instance, a popular opinion leader may have influence, but does not necessarily "wield authority over" a group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wield authority over" functions as a verb phrase, where "wield" is the verb, "authority" is the direct object, and "over" is a preposition indicating the target of the authority. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wield authority over" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes the exercise of power or control by one entity over another. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a valid and useful expression. The phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a wide range of applicability but is more formal. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the subject has legitimate power and the context is appropriate. Alternatives like "exert influence over" or "exercise control over" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Overall, "wield authority over" is a valuable phrase for clearly expressing the concept of exerting control in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert influence over

Focuses on the act of applying influence, rather than explicitly stating the possession of authority.

exercise control over

Emphasizes the active management and direction provided.

hold sway over

Suggests a more subtle and pervasive influence, often less formal.

have power over

A more direct and general expression of dominance or control.

command influence over

Highlights the ability to direct or affect something through influence.

dominate

This is more stronger expression, indicating complete control.

govern

Implies formal and structured rule or management.

preside over

Suggests a leadership role, often in a formal setting.

administer

Focuses on the management and execution of rules or policies.

dictate terms to

Implies forceful control over the conditions or rules.

FAQs

How can I use "wield authority over" in a sentence?

You can use "wield authority over" to describe someone or something exerting control or power over another entity. For instance, "The government "wields authority over" its citizens through laws and regulations."

What are some alternatives to "wield authority over"?

Alternatives include "exert influence over", "exercise control over", or "have power over", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "wield authority over" formal or informal?

"Wield authority over" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for professional, news-related, or academic contexts. It is less common in casual conversation.

What is the difference between "wield authority over" and "have influence over"?

"Wield authority over" implies a formal or legitimate right to exert control, while "have influence over" suggests a more subtle or informal ability to affect decisions or actions. Authority is a recognized power, while influence is a persuasive ability.