authority on + subject
Showing expertise
Use authority on before a topic someone knows very well.
He is an authority on medieval history.
Using prepositions with authority
Authority combines with several prepositions depending on meaning. Some patterns describe expertise, while others describe power or permission.
Quick answer
Which prepositions are used with authority?
Authority commonly appears with on, over, and to. By authority is used in formal contexts meaning with official permission. In authority refers to being in power. Of authority is less common and usually part of a larger phrase.
She is an authority on climate law.
The manager has authority over hiring decisions.
The document was issued by the authority responsible for transport.
The manager has authority over hiring decisions.
The document was issued by the authority responsible for transport.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
authority over + person or area
Describing control or power
Use over for responsibility or control.
Parents have authority over young children.
authority to + verb
Giving permission or power
Authority to is followed by an infinitive.
The agency has authority to investigate complaints.
in authority
Referring to people in power
In authority means holding an official position.
People in authority ignored the warning.
by authority of + organisation
Showing official permission
This formal pattern appears in legal and official language.
The order was issued by authority of the court.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
of authority
Questions of authority caused conflict.
Used inside broader noun phrases, not usually as a fixed pairing.
in authority
Those in authority approved the plan.
Holding official power.
to authority
The phrase to authority is uncommon with authority as a noun.
Usually authority to + verb is the standard structure.
with authority
She spoke with authority during the interview.
In a confident and knowledgeable way.
by authority
The statement was released by authority of the ministry.
With official approval.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using to authority instead of authority to
Authority normally comes before the infinitive.
✕ The board gave him to authority approve changes. ✓ The board gave him authority to approve changes.Confusing authority on and authority over
On refers to expertise; over refers to control.
✓ She is an authority on tax law and has authority over the department.Using of authority as a standalone phrase
Of authority usually depends on another noun.
✓ The debate raised questions of authority.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She is an authority ___ cybersecurity.
2. The director has authority ___ hiring decisions.
3. The agency has authority ___ inspect the site.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between authority on and authority over?
Authority on means expertise in a subject. Authority over means control or power.
Is in authority a common phrase?
Yes. It refers to people who hold official power or responsibility.
Can authority be followed by to?
Yes. Authority to plus a verb means having permission or power to do something.
Related preposition guides
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