within the gift of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within the gift of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate something that is within someone's power or ability to give or grant. Example: "The decision to approve the project is within the gift of the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It's entirely within the gift of the prime minister.

The Guardian

That sort of thing is within the gift of politicians.

The Economist

Yes, it is clearly within the gift of the government to shift renewable levies, and the cost of social programmes, on to general taxation.

The Guardian - Business

Some of the most important questions – membership of the EU, of NATO, keeping the pound, sharing other services with the UK – are not within the gift of the Scottish government, but depend on others.

The Guardian

The Ayrshire town of Kilmarnock had a proud engineering tradition, and when a vacancy occurred in advance of the 1979 general election, the candidacy was within the gift of the AEU, who put forward McKelvey.

The Guardian

But if my hunch is even half-right, tackling the worst excesses of British red tape though an important and worthwhile task may not be fully within the gift of any British government.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Another participant wrote "Hope [came] from within and the gift of reflection [journaling], hope [came] from faith, family and friends".

BMC Palliative Care

And in the case where the Israelites complain of scarcity and upset within the bounds of the gift of manna, they are granted more -- more than they could possibly ever want -- to teach them the limits of desire.

Huffington Post

Human ankle and knee articular cartilage were obtained from tissue donors within 48 hours of death through the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network (Elmhurst, IL, USA) or from the National Disease Research Interchange (Philadelphia, PA, USA), in accordance with institutional protocol.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

He possessed what he himself ascribed to Yeats, "the gift of establishing authority within a culture".

The Guardian - Books

The gift of life!

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "within the gift of", ensure that the context clearly indicates who possesses the power or authority being referenced.

Common error

Avoid using "within the gift of" when the power or decision actually requires multiple approvals or depends on external factors. Using it incorrectly implies a level of unilateral control that doesn't exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within the gift of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is under someone's control or authority. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within the gift of" correctly indicates that something is under someone's control or authority, as affirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically sound and understood, it may not be as commonly used as some alternatives like "at the discretion of". Its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts, often in discussions of political power or official decisions. When writing, ensure the context clearly identifies who holds the power being referenced. Using it when the decision relies on multiple parties would be inaccurate. Remember, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrase suggests that someone has the power to give or grant something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the discretion of

Stresses the freedom to decide.

at the disposal of

Emphasizes availability for use or decision-making.

under the authority of

Emphasizes legitimate control.

under the purview of

Highlights the scope or extent of authority.

in the hands of

Focuses on who has the power or control.

subject to the power of

Highlights the controlling influence.

in the jurisdiction of

Specifies the legal or official control.

conferred upon

Indicates a formal granting of power.

vested in

Implies a legal or official right.

in the competence of

Focuses on having the required skill or knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "within the gift of" in a sentence?

Use "within the gift of" to indicate that someone has the power or authority to grant something. For example, "The appointment is within the gift of the president."

What's a more common alternative to "within the gift of"?

While "within the gift of" is correct, alternatives like "at the discretion of" or "in the hands of" might be more commonly used in contemporary English.

Is it correct to say "within the gift of" instead of "it is a gift from"?

While both phrases involve the word "gift", they have different meanings. "Within the gift of" means someone has the power to give something, whereas "it is a gift from" indicates the source of something received.

How formal is the phrase "within the gift of"?

The phrase "within the gift of" is relatively formal and may be more appropriate in official or legal contexts. Less formal alternatives might be better suited for casual conversation.