could be authorized

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

There are five different legal ways within Spanish law that a referendum could be authorized.

The New York Times

Senator Levin's amendment called for United Nations approval before force could be authorized.

The New York Times

Officials have left vague the question of whether it could be authorized again.

The New York Times

They would have to receive support from congressional Republicans before any idea could be authorized.

The Washington Post

The charter schools could be authorized by either the State Board of Regents or the State University of New York.

The New York Times

Mr. Kan said that Chubu Electric would be asked to strengthen its defenses before a restart could be authorized.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The main ethical difficulties are related to the perceived possibility of conflict of interest for the ICU physician who in one hand could take the decision to withdraw or withhold some specific care, and in a next step could also be authorized to take the decision of organ donation in the same patient.

Annals of Intensive Care

European states could also be authorized to buy small quantities of Iranian oil and hold the funds in escrow for Iran to use solely to that end.

The New York Times

But administration officials say that other parts of the economy, including imports of other vital goods and services for the agriculture industry and the civil service, could perhaps be authorized by the United Nations without a fight.

The New York Times

Drivers could also be authorized to do things most other service's drivers would be weirded out by, like checking your kids out of afterschool activities.

TechCrunch

In 2011, a San Joaquin County Superior Court ruled that the geological drilling amounted to a taking under the California Constitution and could only be authorized in a condemnation proceeding.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be authorized", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what has the power to grant the authorization.

Common error

Avoid using "could be authorized" without specifying who is doing the authorizing. For clarity, specify the entity or authority that holds the power to authorize the action or decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be authorized" functions as a modal passive construction. It indicates a potential or conditional authorization, expressing that something might receive approval or permission under certain circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

26%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be authorized" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express the possibility of receiving official permission or approval. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It appears across various contexts, including news, academia, and science, as well as encyclopedias and wikis. When using this phrase, be sure to specify the authorizing entity to ensure clarity. Consider alternatives such as "could be permitted" or "might be approved" depending on the context. Remember that "could" suggests a conditional possibility, while "is" indicates current authorization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be permitted

Replaces 'authorized' with 'permitted', focusing on allowance rather than official approval. Slightly less formal.

could be allowed

Substitutes 'authorized' with 'allowed', indicating a general lack of prohibition. More informal than "could be authorized".

might be approved

Uses 'approved' to suggest a formal endorsement is possible, changing the modality from possibility to a conditional approval process.

may be sanctioned

Replaces 'authorized' with 'sanctioned', implying official permission or endorsement, often by an authority. More formal.

could be validated

Uses 'validated' to emphasize confirmation of legitimacy, shifting focus from permission to confirmation.

can be ratified

Emphasizes a formal agreement and its final approval, where 'ratified' replaces the more general 'authorized'.

could receive authorization

Rephrases the passive construction into an active one focused on receiving permission instead of being permitted.

might gain approval

Similar to 'might be approved', but uses 'gain' to suggest effort in obtaining approval.

could be given the green light

An idiomatic alternative meaning to give permission for something to happen or continue.

could be empowered

Suggests granting power or authority to someone or something to act, rather than a simple permission.

FAQs

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

Use "could be authorized" to indicate a possibility or condition under which something might receive official permission or approval. For example, "The project "could be authorized" if it meets all regulatory requirements."

What are some alternatives to "could be authorized"?

Alternatives include "could be permitted", "might be approved", or "may be sanctioned", depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "could be authorized" or "can be authorized"?

"Could be authorized" suggests a possibility or conditional authorization, while "can be authorized" implies a general ability to be authorized. The choice depends on whether you're discussing a potential authorization or an inherent possibility of authorization.

What's the difference between "could be authorized" and "is authorized"?

"Could be authorized" indicates a potential or future authorization, whereas "is authorized" signifies that authorization has already been granted. For example, "The expenditure "could be authorized" next week," versus "The expenditure "is authorized" as of today."