authorize someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "authorize someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when granting permission or power to someone to act on behalf of another person or organization. Example: "The manager will authorize someone to access the confidential files for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This revelation raises a troubling but simultaneously intriguing question – can the police authorize someone to dupe you into sex?

The Guardian

Is this a freedom or a dictatorship?" When I asked Ahmadinejad if he would allow me to interview Mousavi, Karroubi, and Khatami, he said, "Is it up to me to authorize someone to interview someone else?

The New Yorker

Lettre de cachet, (French: "letter of the sign [or signet]"), a letter signed by the king and countersigned by a secretary of state and used primarily to authorize someone's imprisonment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those places are: the owner's house, a border crossing (just up until the nearest border crossing, it doesn't authorize someone to transport guns across the US border), a gunsmith, a peace officer to turn in a firearm for destruction or to have it verified, and an approved shooting range in the owner's area.

Vice

Authorize someone to make a withdrawal.

WikiHow

Authorize someone to make a deposit.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Courts do not issue orders authorizing someone to search themselves, since obviously no such order is needed.

The Guardian - Tech

By preparing a durable power of attorney, which authorizes someone to act as your agent and to handle your finances, you can avoid such problems.

The New York Times

An emergency child medical form a useful documents for all parents–authorizes someone you name to seek medical treatment for your child.

Forbes

So it should be a rite of passage for every 18-year-old to sign a health care proxy (also known as a health care power of attorney) authorizing someone to make medical decisions on his behalf, if he can’t, and a living will (also known as an advance directive) expressing his preferences about certain aspects of end-of-life care.

Forbes

Also called a health care agent or health care power of attorney, this authorizes someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you can't.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "authorize someone", clearly define the scope of their authority to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The board authorized the CEO to negotiate the contract."

Common error

Avoid assuming someone is authorized without explicit confirmation. Always verify authorization to prevent unauthorized actions. For example, instead of assuming an assistant can sign documents, confirm they have been explicitly authorized to do so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "authorize someone" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "authorize" is the verb and "someone" is the direct object. This indicates the act of granting authority or permission to another person. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "authorize someone" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for granting permission or power to an individual. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usability in written English is high. While most frequently encountered in News & Media, it also appears in Wiki and Formal & Business contexts. To ensure clarity, clearly define the scope of the authorization. Related phrases like ""permit someone"" or ""empower someone"" can serve as alternatives depending on the specific nuance desired. A common error to avoid is assuming implicit authority; always verify the authorization to avoid unauthorized actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give someone authorization

More formal and emphasizes the act of providing official permission.

permit someone

A direct synonym focusing on allowing someone to do something.

allow someone

Similar to "permit", but slightly less formal.

empower someone

Suggests giving someone the power and resources to act effectively.

delegate authority to someone

Focuses on transferring responsibility and decision-making power.

commission someone

Implies formally instructing someone to carry out a task.

license someone

Grants a formal license or right to perform an action.

entitle someone

Confers a right or claim to something.

sanction someone

Provides official approval or authorization, often in a legal context.

give someone the green light

Informal idiom meaning to give approval or permission.

FAQs

How can I use "authorize someone" in a sentence?

You can use "authorize someone" to describe the act of giving permission or power to an individual. For instance, "The manager can "permit someone" to access confidential files" or "The director "delegated authority to someone" to handle the project."

What's the difference between "authorize someone" and "allow someone"?

"Authorize someone" implies a more formal granting of power or permission, often with specific conditions or limitations. "Allow someone" is more general and simply means to permit something. "The court can "license someone" to drive" vs. "The judge can "permit someone" to speak in court."

What can I say instead of "authorize someone"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "permit someone", "empower someone", "delegate authority to someone", or "commission someone".

Is it correct to say "authorize to someone"?

No, the correct structure is "authorize someone" or "authorize someone to do something". For example, "The manager authorized the employee" or "The manager authorized the employee to access the data" are correct. The phrase "authorize to someone" is grammatically incorrect.