within our power

USAGE SUMMARY

"within our power" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something is within a certain group's ability or capability. For example: "We will do all that is within our power to help the victims of the disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"This is within our power.

The Guardian

And I believe it's totally within our power".

The Guardian

"We will do everything within our power," says the Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt.

The Guardian

But it's within our power to make it affordable for all.

The New York Times

"Businesses will do everything within our power to avoid a recession," said Carolyn Fairbairn, the director-general of the CBI.

The Guardian

That is a faith that Timothy McVeigh was unable to reach but which still lies within our power.

The New York Times

It is within our power to slow or reverse this destructive trend, which threatens our very existence.

The New York Times

"We will be doing everything within our power to ensure Justin makes it on stage at the right time".

Independent

"We should do what is within our power to have a black nominated for Number Two, at least at the Democratic National Convention".

The New Yorker

"It's very, very important that we stay out of deficit, and we've got to do everything within our power to do that," Mr. Martin said on Friday.

The New York Times

But, as incredulous as it sounds, even though one in nine people go hungry today, it is within our power to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger by 2030.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within our power" to clearly communicate the extent of your or your organization's abilities and limitations in addressing a specific issue.

Common error

Avoid overstating what is "within our power". Be realistic about the limitations and potential challenges involved, as overpromising can lead to distrust and disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within our power" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or noun. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to define the boundaries of capability or authority, specifying what actions or outcomes fall under a certain entity's control or influence. It often follows verbs like "do", "ensure", "try", and similar action verbs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "within our power" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote the scope of one's abilities or control, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. Understanding appropriate usage helps ensure clarity and accuracy in conveying capabilities and limitations. Remember to use it thoughtfully, avoiding overstatements of capacity. As Ludwig shows, many examples illustrate this expression's adaptability and widespread usage in formal and informal English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in our capacity

Replaces "power" with "capacity", focusing on the ability to do something.

within our capabilities

Emphasizes the skills and abilities available.

within our jurisdiction

Highlights legal or official authority as the limiting factor.

subject to our control

Focuses on the aspect of maintaining control over something.

falls under our authority

Highlights the scope of authority and its limitations.

we are in a position to

Indicates the availability of resources or circumstances to act.

we have the wherewithal to

Emphasizes the resources or means necessary to achieve something.

it is up to us

Shifts the focus to responsibility and obligation.

it's our responsibility

Emphasizes duty and accountability.

it's our call

Highlights the aspect of decision-making authority.

FAQs

How can I use "within our power" in a sentence?

You can use "within our power" to indicate the extent of one's capabilities or abilities, such as, "We will do everything "within our power" to ensure the project's success."

What are some alternatives to saying "within our power"?

Alternatives include "in our capacity", "within our capabilities", or "subject to our control", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "within our power" or "in our power"?

"Within our power" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "In our power" is grammatically correct, but less frequently used and may sound slightly less natural.

How does "within our power" differ from "within our reach"?

"Within our power" refers to the ability or capacity to do something, while "within our reach" suggests that something is attainable or achievable. The former focuses on capability, the latter on accessibility.