author
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.the person who wrote a specific book, article, or story.
n.the individual responsible for the creation of a literary, scientific, or artistic work.
Simple“She is the author of several popular children's books.”
In context“The author spent three years researching the historical context of the novel before writing the first chapter.”
UsageUsually followed by the preposition 'of' to indicate the work created.
Teacher's tipIn academic contexts, 'author' is preferred over 'writer' for its sense of authority and ownership.
PitfallWho is the writer of this book? Who is the author of this book?While 'writer' is okay, 'author' is the standard word when talking about the person who created a specific published work.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the person who starts or causes something to happen.
n.the originator, instigator, or primary cause of a plan, event, or situation.
Simple“He was the author of the company's new success.”
In context“Historians still debate who was the true author of the peace treaty that ended the decade-long conflict.”
UsageOften used metaphorically to describe someone who designs a complex plan or policy.
Teacher's tipThis sense is more abstract and formal than the literary sense.
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to write a book, report, or document.
v.to be the author of a work; to write or originate a document or plan.
Simple“The professor has authored many papers on climate change.”
In context“The committee members collectively authored the final report, ensuring that every department's concerns were addressed.”
UsageA transitive verb that always takes a direct object.
Teacher's tipSome traditionalists dislike 'author' as a verb, but it is standard in academic and professional English.
Usage author of the study · author of the paper · author of the new
From Middle English auctour, from Anglo-Norman autour, from Old French autor, from Latin auctor, from augeō (“to increase, originate”). The h, also found in Middle French autheur, is unetymological as there is no h in the original Latin spelling. The OED attributes the h to contamination by authentic. Doublet of auteur.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.