I was authorized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was authorized" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone granted you permission or approval to do something in the past. Example: "I was authorized to access the confidential files for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I then called de Blasio back and said they were willing to discuss it; I was authorized to talk".

The New York Times

"I was authorized to tell him that if the Islamic Courts Union would eschew terrorism and Islamic extremism we could work with him," Ranneberger said.

The New Yorker

(McMaster declined to be interviewed for this article, but I was authorized to speak with ten of his aides on the N.S.C).

The New Yorker

In the end, I was authorized to interview only one other person: Hossein Shariatmadari, an adviser to Khamenei, and the editor-in-chief of Kayhan, the daily newspaper that speaks for Iran's clerical establishment.

The New Yorker

I approached the ticket counter and explained that I was authorized to fly supersonic.

Huffington Post

With a job waiting, I was authorized to leave the halfway house at six each morning, six days a week.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I'm authorized to speak the truth because I have vines in each of them".

The New York Times - Food

I've got hats, earmuffs and scarves in every "Color Me Beautiful" color I'm authorized to wear.

The New York Times - Style

"I'm authorized to take that down today," Mr. Giorgio said, "but I'm going to leave it there and see what the department wants to do".

The New York Times

"It is my request to this committee that I be authorized to have Governor Rowland as the first witness beginning on or about June 7".

The New York Times

"Commercial development is an idea of the local government that has nothing to do with the army, and I am authorized to state that as long as I am commander here, nobody is coming in here," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was authorized", ensure the context clearly indicates who granted the authorization and for what specific purpose. This provides clarity and strengthens the statement's credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "I was authorized" without specifying who provided the authorization. For example, instead of saying "I was authorized to make changes", specify "I was authorized by the manager to make changes" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was authorized" functions as a statement indicating that the speaker received permission or approval to perform a specific action at some point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing examples where this phrase is used to convey that the speaker had the necessary mandate or clearance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2.5%

Formal & Business

2.5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was authorized" is a grammatically correct and understandable construction used to express that the speaker received prior permission to take a specific action. While Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is suitable for various contexts, it's more common in news and media and scientific writing. Related phrases such as "I received authorization" and "I was given permission" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in formality and emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure you are clear about who granted the authorization to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received authorization

Emphasizes the act of receiving permission rather than the state of being authorized.

I was given permission

A more direct and less formal way of stating that permission was granted.

I had the authority

Focuses on the inherent power or right to act, rather than the granting of permission.

I was empowered

Suggests a more significant level of trust and responsibility than simply being authorized.

I was cleared to

Implies that any obstacles or objections were removed, allowing the action to proceed.

I was sanctioned to

Indicates a formal or official endorsement of the action.

I was delegated the task

Highlights that the task was specifically assigned to the speaker.

I was entitled to

Suggests that the speaker had a legal or moral right to perform the action.

I had license to

Implies that the speaker had a broad or unrestricted permission to act.

I was given the go-ahead

An informal phrase indicating approval to start or proceed with something.

FAQs

What does "I was authorized" mean?

The phrase "I was authorized" means that someone gave you permission or approval to do something. It implies that you had the necessary approval before taking action.

What can I say instead of "I was authorized"?

You can use alternatives like "I received authorization", "I was given permission", or "I had the authority" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am authorized" or "I was authorized"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "I am authorized" means you currently have permission, while "I was authorized" means you had permission in the past.

What's the difference between "I was authorized" and "I was allowed"?

While both indicate permission, "I was authorized" often implies a more formal or official granting of permission compared to "I was allowed", which can be more casual.