authorized to keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "authorized to keep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permissions or rights granted to someone to retain or maintain something. Example: "The organization is authorized to keep all records related to the project for a period of five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

International peacekeeping forces may be authorized to keep warring parties apart pending further negotiations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From now on, the center will be authorized to keep that information for five years.

The New York Times

International peacekeeping forces may be authorized to keep warring parties apart pending further negotiations (see United Nations Peacekeeping Forces).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The agency was authorized to keep a detainee awake for up to 180 hours – about a week – but told the Justice Department it only kept three detainees awake for 96 hours maximum.

The Guardian

Because of the Philippine-American War (1899 1902), the president was authorized to keep the strength of the regular army at a maximum of 65,000 members, and in 1901 this figure was raised to 100,000.

Britannica

In 1603 the powerless but prestigious imperial court, which over the years had dutifully assigned Ieyasu titles that reflected his growing power, appointed him shogun (generalissimo), thereby acknowledging that this most powerful daimyo in Japan was the man officially authorized to keep the peace in the emperor's name.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Sure, it's video we all needed to see, a fresh addition to a growing body of evidence that the men and women we authorize to keep the peace too often respond to petty infractions with much greater force than seems reasonable necessary.

Huffington Post

Congress created the Air Transportation Stabilization Board after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to administer $10 billion in loans it authorized to help keep the industry afloat.

The New York Times

The NDRC and State Planning Commission of China are examining if these foreign companies exercise control over component-makers, owing to their strong market positioning, so they supply only to authorized dealers to keep the prices high.

Forbes

But Energy Department officials in Washington said they believed the problems were fixable and that they had authorized Bechtel to keep going for the time being.

Los Angeles Times

But there has been no reason to reduce audits of corporations and the self-employed, which fell to record low levels last year because Congress did not authorize funds to keep up with the increased number of such taxpayers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "authorized to keep", ensure the context clearly identifies who granted the authorization. For example: "The library is authorized by the city council to keep historical documents."

Common error

Avoid assuming authorization extends beyond its explicit limits. Always clarify the specific items, duration, and conditions under which someone is "authorized to keep" something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "authorized to keep" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone or something has been given permission or the right to retain or maintain possession of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "authorized to keep" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote that someone has been officially permitted or empowered to retain something. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples spanning encyclopedias, news, and scientific contexts. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is versatile, appearing in neutral to professional registers. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the grantor and scope of authorization is crucial. Alternatives such as "permitted to retain" or "allowed to maintain" can be used for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted to retain

Replaces "authorized" with a more general term for permission.

allowed to maintain

Focuses on the idea of upkeep and continuation rather than mere possession.

entitled to hold

Highlights a legal or moral right rather than just permission.

sanctioned to preserve

Emphasizes the act of keeping something safe and intact, implying a formal approval.

licensed to possess

Indicates a formal license grants the right to own and keep something.

given leave to retain

A more formal way of saying permission has been granted to keep something.

empowered to safeguard

Suggests a responsibility and power to protect something.

vested with the right to keep

A legalistic phrasing emphasizing an inherent right.

cleared to hold

Implies that something has been reviewed and approved for retention.

approved for retention

Focuses on the approval aspect for keeping something.

FAQs

How can I use "authorized to keep" in a sentence?

Use "authorized to keep" to indicate someone has official permission to retain something. For example: "Only designated personnel are authorized to keep the confidential files."

What are some alternatives to "authorized to keep"?

You can use alternatives like "permitted to retain", "allowed to maintain", or "entitled to hold" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "authorized to kept" instead of "authorized to keep"?

No, "authorized to kept" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "authorized to keep", where "keep" is the base form of the verb following the infinitive marker "to".

What's the difference between "authorized to keep" and "required to keep"?

"Authorized to keep" implies permission, while "required to keep" suggests an obligation. For instance, you might be "authorized to keep" a souvenir from a trip, but you are "required to keep" financial records for tax purposes.