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Meaning & use

in the scope of

phrase·Academic

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UK/ɪn ðə ˈskəʊp ɒv/
US/ɪn ðə ˈskoʊp əv/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phraseformal

    Belonging to the range of subjects, duties, or cases that something deals with or controls.

    Grammar: Used after a noun to say what a rule, job, study, or plan includes: matters in the scope of the review.

    Patterns

    • something is in the scope of something
    • bring something in the scope of something
    • fall in the scope of something

    These questions are in the scope of the committee's work, so it will discuss them next week.

    Any damage caused by storms is not in the scope of this insurance policy.

    The study of local dialects is in the scope of the research project.

  2. phrasefixed phraseformallegal

    Within the limits of what a person, law, or organization has the power or right to do.

    Grammar: Often used with words like authority, powers, or duties to show what is officially allowed.

    Patterns

    • in the scope of someone's authority
    • in the scope of the law
    • in the scope of someone's duties

    Signing the contract was not in the scope of her authority as a junior manager.

    The officer acted in the scope of the law at all times.

    Checking the accounts is in the scope of his duties.

Common combinations

in the scope of the review
Only the last two years of spending are in the scope of the review.
in the scope of the agreement
Training costs are in the scope of the agreement, but travel costs are not.
in the scope of the study
Rural schools were not in the scope of the study.
in the scope of someone's authority
Hiring new staff is not in the scope of my authority.
fall in the scope of something
These small payments fall in the scope of the new tax rules.
bring something in the scope of something
The change brings online shops in the scope of the same law.

Synonyms and how they differ

within the scope of
Almost the same meaning and also formal, but it sounds a little more common in contracts and official writing.
covered by
More everyday and plainer; it fits speech better when you mean a rule or policy includes something.
under
Much shorter and less formal, as in 'under this law'; it is vaguer about limits.

Opposites

outside the scope ofbeyond the scope of

Word family

scope noun
The range of things a subject, rule, or activity deals with.
scoping noun
The work of deciding what a project or study will include.

Commonly confused: in the scope of or in the scale of? in the scope of or in the space of?

in the scope of vs in the scale of

'Scale' is about size or level, not about limits of a subject; 'in the scale of' is not a usual phrase.

in the scope of vs in the space of

This means 'within a period of time', as in 'in the space of an hour', so it does not fit rules or duties.

Practice

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