Cool MateAuthority vs On the power
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Authority
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
On the power
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Authority
| Authority | On the power | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈθɔːrɪti//🇺🇸 //əˈθɔːrɪti// | 🇬🇧 //ɒn ðə ˈpaʊər//🇺🇸 //ɑn ðə ˈpaʊər// |
| Meaning | The power or right to give orders and make decisions. | Using power or control in a situation. |
| Example | The teacher has authority over the students. | The CEO spoke confidently, clearly on the power he held within the company. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | exercise authority, recognize authority, challenge authority | on the power play, on the power struggle, on the power dynamics, on the power shift |
| Antonyms | powerlessness, subordination | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'author' - authority refers to power, not authorship., Misused in singular form; should often use 'authorities' for multiple groups or people. | Used incorrectly in informal contexts. Best suited for discussions about authority., Misinterpreted as only having a positive meaning; can imply oppression., Not used with the correct prepositions in some cases (e.g., 'on the power of' vs. 'with power'). |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Often refers to organizations or individuals in positions of power. | Use this phrase when discussing authority or influence. It is often employed in discussions about leadership or politics and can carry both positive and negative connotations depending on the context. |
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Frequently asked questions: Authority vs On the power
What's the difference between Authority and On the power?
Authority: The power or right to give orders and make decisions. On the power: Using power or control in a situation.
Which is more common: Authority and On the power?
Authority is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Authority: The teacher has authority over the students. On the power: The CEO spoke confidently, clearly on the power he held within the company.
Can I use Authority and On the power interchangeably?
Not always. Authority and On the power are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.