authorize action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "authorize action" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where permission or approval is given for a specific action to be taken. For example, "The manager will authorize action to resolve the issue." Alternative expressions include "approve action" and "permit action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's also being used to authorize action against a host of other groups, though who they are is classified.

The Guardian - Opinion

The logic is straightforward: if it's only the world's democracies that accept the universality of fundamental human rights, then only an organization of such states will authorize action to protect victims of abusive dictators like Robert Mugabe.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is a problem that has dogged Mr. Kerry since he walked through the snows of Iowa and New Hampshire, and suffered the barbs of Vermont's former governor, Howard Dean, who made Mr. Kerry's vote to authorize action an issue.

The New York Times

Alberto R. Gonzales, the White House counsel, says that his office began drafting the administration's use-of-force resolution to authorize action against Saddam Hussein over the summer, well before President Bush announced early this month that he wanted such approval from Congress before making war on Iraq.

The New York Times

The president has spoken frequently about his preference for taking military action only with international backing, but it is likely Russia and China would block U.S. efforts to authorize action through the U.N. Security Council.

Huffington Post

And, if Congress fails to authorize action, paralyzing the President, U.S. national security will indeed suffer as our red-lines will become meaningless, leaving us to be perceived as a paper tiger or a faint-hearted "humanitarian", or both.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton repeated on Friday a call for a U.N. Security Council resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which allows the Council to authorize actions ranging from diplomatic and economic sanctions to military intervention.

Huffington Post

Resolution 1747 bans arms exports by Iran under Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter, which allows the Security Council to authorize actions ranging from diplomatic and economic sanctions to military intervention.

Huffington Post

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius suggested that a resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter, which allows the Security Council to authorize actions ranging from sanctions to military intervention, might be necessary.

Huffington Post

Britain, France, Germany and the United States had wanted the Security Council resolution be placed under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which allows the council to authorize actions ranging from diplomatic and economic sanctions to military intervention.

Huffington Post

Germany also abstained in the United Nations Security Council's vote authorizing action, joining Russia, China, Brazil and India.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject of the sentence is an entity with the actual power to grant such permission to maintain logical clarity.

Common error

Do not use "authorize action" when you mean that a situation makes an action necessary. Use "warrant action" or "justify action" instead. Authorization refers to the permission granted by an authority, not the reason why the action is happening.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "authorize action" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "authorize" acts as the head verb and "action" as the direct object. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used in passive and active voices to denote the formal delegation of power. It often appears in structures like "voted to "authorize action"" or "resolution "authorizing action"".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Social Media

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "authorize action" is a robust and grammatically correct expression primarily used to describe the granting of official or legal permission. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is a staple of high-quality journalism and academic writing, particularly when discussing military resolutions, legal proceedings or institutional oversight. While it is synonymous with phrases like "approve action", it carries a distinct weight of formal empowerment that makes it better suited for professional and official documents. Users should be careful to distinguish it from "warrant action", which focuses on justification rather than permission. Overall, it is a precise tool for any writer needing to convey the formal initiation of a permitted task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approve action

Suggests a more general administrative or personal agreement rather than a formal legal empowerment.

permit action

Carries a slightly more passive tone, often implying the removal of an obstacle or prohibition.

sanction action

Used when the approval is official and carries the weight of authority or law.

mandate action

Goes beyond permission to imply that the action is required or ordered by a higher authority.

warrant action

Focuses on the justification or necessity for the action rather than the permission itself.

endorse action

Implies public support or recommendation of the action rather than purely legal authorization.

empower action

Emphasizes giving someone the tools or legal rights to perform the task.

validate action

Suggests confirming that an action already taken or planned is legal or correct.

enable action

Focuses on creating the conditions that make the action possible.

license action

Specifically refers to granting a formal permit or license to perform a regulated activity.

FAQs

How do I use "authorize action" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an official body giving permission, for example: "The council voted to "authorize action" against the illegal construction."

What is the difference between "authorize action" and "approve action"?

While similar, "authorize action" is more formal and usually implies a legal or official empowerment, whereas "approve action" can be used for more casual or administrative agreements.

Is "authorize action" suitable for business emails?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for professional settings, especially when discussing project permissions or legal compliance. You might also consider "give the go-ahead" for a slightly less formal tone.

Can I use "authorize action" for personal permission?

It is usually too formal for personal context. Instead of saying you authorize action for a friend, you would typically use "give permission" or "allow".