Is 'authority' always a negative word implying oppression?

No. While it can imply undue control, it is often neutral or positive, referring to legitimate power (e.g., parental authority) or respected expertise.

What's the difference between 'authority' and 'power'?

'Power' is the general capacity to act or influence. 'Authority' implies legitimised power, often derived from a role, law, or recognised expertise. One can have power without authority (e.g., a bully).

Can 'authority' be countable and uncountable?

Yes. Uncountable: 'She has a lot of authority.' Countable (referring to an organisation or expert): 'The health authorities issued a warning.', 'He is a recognised authority.'

What is the correct preposition after 'authority'?

It depends. 'Authority over' (people/area), 'authority on' (subject as an expert), 'authority to' (do something), 'under the authority of' (a person/organisation).

authority

UK/ɔːˈθɒrəti/US/əˈθɔːrəti/

Formal to neutral

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

The official power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience; a person or organization having such power.

Also refers to expert knowledge or a source of reliable information in a particular field (e.g., 'an authority on medieval art'), or the confident quality of someone who is respected for their knowledge.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The word has a polysemous core based on the concept of legitimate power, which can be legal, institutional, moral, or intellectual. Context is crucial to determine whether it refers to an institution, a person, or a quality.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No major semantic differences. Minor differences exist in collocational preferences (e.g., US 'authority' often in 'housing authority', 'transit authority'; UK 'local authority' more common than 'city government').

Connotations

Generally neutral or institutional in both. Can have negative connotations of bureaucracy or control in political contexts.

Frequency

Similarly high frequency in both varieties.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

supreme authoritycentral authoritylocal authorityhave authorityexercise authoritychallenge authorityquestion authority

medium

legal authoritymoral authorityproper authorityfinal authorityundisputed authoritygrant authoritydelegated authority

weak

great authorityfull authorityspeak with authoritylack authorityposition of authority

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[have/possess] authority [over something/somebody]authority [to do something]under the authority [of][subject] falls within/under the authority [of]

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

supremacydominionhegemonysovereignty

Neutral

powerjurisdictioncontrolcommand

Weak

influenceswayclout

Vocabulary

Antonyms

subordinationweaknesspowerlessnessservitude

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“To speak with authority”
“To have something on good authority”
“A figure of authority”
“The powers that be”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Refers to managerial power, sign-off privileges (e.g., 'You need budgetary authority from the director').

Academic

Refers to cited experts or foundational texts (e.g., 'Freud is a major authority in psychoanalysis').

Everyday

Used for parents, teachers, police, rules (e.g., 'He didn't have the authority to let us leave').

Technical

In law: 'competent authority'; in IT: 'user permissions and authority'; in public administration: 'regulatory authority'.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The new act authoritied the council to levy a charge.
(Rare/archaic: The minister authoritied the payment.)

American English

(Rare; 'authorize' is standard) The committee moved to authority the investigation.

adverb

British English

(No direct adverb; 'authoritatively') He spoke authoritatively on the subject.

American English

(Same as British) She authoritatively dismissed the objection.

adjective

British English

(No common adjective; 'authoritative' is used) She gave an authoritative answer.
(Legal: 'authority case' - a precedent-setting case)

American English

(Same as British) His tone was authoritative.
They cited an authority figure in the ruling.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The teacher has authority in the classroom.
Police officers have authority to stop cars.

You need permission from someone in authority.
She is an authority on local history.

The regional authority is responsible for waste management.
He spoke with such authority that everyone believed him.

The moral authority of the government was severely undermined by the scandal.
The paper's findings carry considerable authority in scientific circles.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of an AUTHOR writing the rules. An AUTHORity is like the 'author' of the rules you must follow.

Conceptual Metaphor

AUTHORITY IS UP / SUBORDINATION IS DOWN (e.g., 'higher authorities', 'under my authority'). AUTHORITY IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'within the authority of the council').

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid over-translating as 'власть' when it means 'эксперт' or 'источник' (e.g., 'He is an authority on physics' = 'Он эксперт в области физики', not 'Он власть...'). The phrase 'на authority' doesn't exist.

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'authority' with 'authorisation' (permission vs. the body granting it). Incorrect preposition: 'authority for doing something' (correct: 'authority to do something').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The new regulations grant the agency the to impose fines.

Multiple Choice

In which sentence does 'authority' refer to expert knowledge, not institutional power?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. While it can imply undue control, it is often neutral or positive, referring to legitimate power (e.g., parental authority) or respected expertise.
: 'Power' is the general capacity to act or influence. 'Authority' implies legitimised power, often derived from a role, law, or recognised expertise. One can have power without authority (e.g., a bully).
: Yes. Uncountable: 'She has a lot of authority.' Countable (referring to an organisation or expert): 'The health authorities issued a warning.', 'He is a recognised authority.'
: It depends. 'Authority over' (people/area), 'authority on' (subject as an expert), 'authority to' (do something), 'under the authority of' (a person/organisation).