authorise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "authorise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when granting permission or approval for something to happen or be done. Example: "Please authorise the release of the funds for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Kearns said the court "is satisfied, in the circumstances of this case, that it is in the best interests of the unborn child; it should authorise at the discretion of the medical team the withdrawal of ongoing somatic support being provided in this tragic and unfortunate case".

The Guardian

'I've got the pen': Obama urges passage of legislation to extend middle income tax cuts, and promises to authorise it immediately The White House confirmed that Obama would be prepared to veto any legislation that maintained the Bush-era tax cuts on upper income earners.

The Guardian

Indeed, the terms of the minister's action had been publicly flagged since early June, when she gave the UDA a gentle warning that she would not authorise the release of funds until there was at least a statement of intent on the part of the organisation to decommission its weapons.

The Guardian - Opinion

That gross error of judgment was apparently compounded last week: Ballack refused to authorise an interview with a few warm words for Dutt when he found out he would not be playing at Werder.

The Guardian - Sport

They cannot even authorise an estimated 500,000 requests from law officers to internet and phone firms each year.

The Guardian - Opinion

There have been plenty of calls for the European Central Bank to authorise a programme of quantitative easing when it meets this week, and the ECB president, Mario Draghi, appeared to be responding in a recent speech in the US, only to row back.

The Guardian - Opinion

Otter said: "We were concerned by a generally poor level of knowledge and lack of expertise of those senior officers who authorise the use of undercover officers".

The Guardian

Kate Hudson, general secretary of CND (which is planning an anti-Trident demonstration in London on Saturday) has made the point that the government had no mandate to authorise the Trident expenditure ahead of the vote in 2016.

The Guardian

Martin Daubney said: "The last time I looked, I am a member of the supreme court and I certainly did not authorise the issuing of such a statement.

The Guardian

Poland's former president Aleksander Kwasniewski has confirmed for the first time that his country hosted one of the CIA's "black sites", but says he did not authorise the brutal treatment of inmates.

The Guardian

"Through a series of legal contortions Obama has argued that Congress, since 9/11, intended to implicitly authorise mass surveillance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "authorise", ensure the context clearly indicates who is granting the permission and what action is being permitted. For instance, "The manager can authorise expenses up to £500".

Common error

Ensure the verb form of "authorise" agrees with the subject. It's common to mistakenly use the base form with a singular subject; for example, avoid writing "He authorise the payment" and instead write "He authorises the payment".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "authorise" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It signifies the act of granting permission or legal power to someone or something. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "authorise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb, particularly in British English, meaning to grant permission or approval. As Ludwig AI points out, it is appropriate for a range of contexts, including news, formal business, and general communication. While "authorise" enjoys widespread usage, remembering to ensure subject-verb agreement and being mindful of its spelling variant ("authorize" in American English) are key to effective communication. Given its prevalence in authoritative sources, mastering the use of "authorise" will certainly enhance your written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grant authority

Highlights the delegation of power or right to act.

give permission

Emphasizes the act of granting formal consent for something.

sanction

Suggests official approval or consent, often with legal or moral implications.

sign off on

Implies formal approval, often involving a signature or official mark.

empower

Focuses on enabling or giving someone the power to do something.

give the go-ahead

Offers a more informal way to express approval for an action.

validate

Highlights confirming the validity or legitimacy of something.

license

Indicates granting a formal permit or license to do something.

endorse

Suggests giving public approval or support to something.

certify

Implies verifying or attesting to the correctness or validity of something.

FAQs

What is the difference between "authorise" and "authorize"?

"Authorise" and "authorize" are variants of the same word. "Authorise" is the standard spelling in British English, while "authorize" is the standard spelling in American English. The meaning remains the same.

How to use "authorise" in a sentence?

You can use "authorise" to indicate giving permission or approval for something. For example, "The CEO had to authorise the transaction" or "The parliament can authorise the use of military force".

What can I say instead of "authorise"?

You can use alternatives like "permit", "approve", or "allow" depending on the context. For example, "The manager can "approve" expenses up to a certain limit".

Which is correct, "authorise" or "authorizes"?

The correct form depends on the subject. "Authorise" is the base form of the verb, used with plural subjects or 'I', 'we', 'you', and 'they'. "Authorizes" is the third-person singular form, used with 'he', 'she', and 'it'.