could be authorised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be authorised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of granting permission or approval for something. Example: "The new policy could be authorised by the board during their next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Fallon said that there were more than three people who represented such a threat to the UK that airstrikes against them could be authorised – but refused to say that this amounted to an American-style "kill list".

The Guardian

After their marriage at a height of 30,000 feet they then can go directly on their honeymoon". The announcement reveals that easyJet "has enquired with the authorities whether pilots could be authorised to officiate weddings in the air", but the company might encounter a number of hurdles before it starts joining couples in matrimony above the clouds.

The Guardian - Travel

An additional public inquiry could be authorised by the State representative should the changes modify the project's overall architecture.

European Transport Research Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For a PPP that could already be authorised, all justifiable options for the management of the environmental risks should first be exploited before the authorities approve and accept highly complex refinements of the risk assessment whose only aim is to create more favourable conditions for application of the PPP (e.g., narrower margins to adjacent surface waters).

Environmental Sciences Europe

It should not be authorised".

The Guardian - Music

(Discretionary spending must be authorised annually by Congress).

The Economist

His execution must eventually be authorised by the president.

BBC

"Any such searches must be authorised by a senior officer.

BBC

I do not know what justification there was for these acts, but to demonstrate that they could not have been authorised by Umkhonto, I want to refer briefly to the roots and policy of the organisation.

The Guardian

But the fact the inspector general has received documents to consider "for issues of legality or propriety" suggests the oversight role conferred once an operation has been authorised could have been engaged.

The Guardian

"Programmes such as PRISM and the laws on the basis of which such programmes are authorised could have grave adverse consequences for the fundamental rights of EU citizens," Reding wrote in the letter seen by AFP.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be authorised", ensure the context clearly indicates who has the authority to grant the authorization. For example, "The project could be authorised by the city council" clarifies the source of authority.

Common error

While "could be authorised" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice construction where appropriate, such as "The council could authorise the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be authorised" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility and permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used. It indicates that something has the potential to receive official approval.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be authorised" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that conveys the possibility of something receiving official permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate in various contexts, maintaining a relatively neutral register. While other phrases like "might be permitted" or "may be allowed" offer similar meanings, "could be authorised" clearly communicates the potential for authorization by an authority. It's essential to ensure clarity regarding who holds the authority and to avoid overuse of the passive voice for stronger writing. While not extremely common, the phrase appears frequently enough in reputable sources such as The Guardian and BBC, establishing its place in standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be permitted

Emphasizes the potential for permission to be granted.

may be allowed

Suggests a possibility of allowance or approval.

might be sanctioned

Implies a formal approval or endorsement is possible.

could be sanctioned

Implies the possibility of formal approval or endorsement.

may be validated

Focuses on the potential for validation or confirmation.

might gain approval

Highlights the chance of receiving approval.

could gain validation

Emphasizes potential receipt of validation or confirmation.

might receive authorization

Highlights the chance of receiving authorization.

could receive the go-ahead

An informal way to express the possibility of receiving approval.

may be given the green light

Suggests the possibility of approval, using an idiomatic expression.

FAQs

How can I use "could be authorised" in a sentence?

You can use "could be authorised" to express the possibility of something receiving official permission or approval. For instance, "The new policy could be authorised by the board at the next meeting".

What's a more formal alternative to "could be authorised"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "may be sanctioned" or "might be permitted", depending on the specific context.

What does "could be authorised" imply about the certainty of approval?

"Could be authorised" suggests a possibility, but not a certainty, of approval. It indicates that the authorization is conditional and subject to certain requirements or decisions.

Is there a difference between "could be authorised" and "is authorised"?

Yes, "could be authorised" implies a potential future action, whereas "is authorised" indicates that the action has already been approved and is currently in effect.