did you authorise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did you authorise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring whether someone has given permission or approval for a specific action or decision. Example: "Did you authorise the release of the funds for the project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

So the questions, Ms Mills, are these: did you authorise Mr Morgan to access your voicemail?

The Guardian

Q. Did you authorise Mr Morgan to listen to your voicemail?

The Guardian

"Did you authorise anyone in Downing Street or in the Ministry of Defence to release David Kelly's name?" he was asked.

The Guardian

"Did you write that letter in order for it to be leaked and did you authorise it's release to the media?" she said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Did she authorise this campaign?

Independent

If they authorised it, why did they authorise it?

The Guardian

But did they authorise its execution and implementation?

Independent

Japan did not authorise heat-treated products until July 1985.

The Economist

Saudi officials, who did not authorise the shipment, were furious.

The Economist

Not until 1915 did Congress authorise the erection of a memorial stone over his grave.

Independent

If Roosevelt did not authorise this action, he certainly knew of it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did you authorise" when you need to confirm whether someone had the power and responsibility to give permission.

Common error

While both spellings are valid, "authorise" is more common in British English, and "authorize" in American English. Be consistent with the spelling throughout your document to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did you authorise" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically a direct question. It seeks confirmation regarding whether the person addressed granted permission or approval for a particular action. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "did you authorise" is a grammatically sound phrase used to inquire whether someone granted permission or approval for a specific action. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively infrequent and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential spelling differences between British ("authorise") and American ("authorize") English. Consider related phrases such as "did you permit" or "did you give the go-ahead" to suit different levels of formality and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did you permit

Replaces "authorise" with a direct synonym, focusing on allowing something to happen.

did you sanction

Implies a formal approval or endorsement, adding a layer of authority.

did you give the go-ahead

An informal way of asking if permission was granted to start something.

did you sign off on

Suggests a written or official approval, focusing on the act of endorsing a document or decision.

did you greenlight

Similar to "give the go-ahead", but more often used in business or project-related contexts.

did you consent to

Focuses on agreement or willingness for something to occur.

were you the one to authorise

Shifts the emphasis to identifying the person responsible for granting authorization.

was it you who authorised

Similar to the previous phrase, emphasizing the individual's role in authorizing.

did you empower someone to

Highlights the act of delegating authority to someone else.

did you commission

Implies that somebody gave authority to an individual to complete a specific project

FAQs

How can I rephrase "did you authorise" in a formal setting?

In a formal context, you can use phrases like "did you permit", "did you sanction", or "did you sign off on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. These alternatives maintain a professional tone while inquiring about authorization.

What's a more informal way to ask "did you authorise"?

For a less formal approach, consider using "did you give the go-ahead" or "did you greenlight". These options are suitable for casual conversations or internal communications where a relaxed tone is acceptable.

Is there a difference between "did you authorise" and "did you approve"?

While "authorise" and "approve" are similar, "authorise" often implies granting formal permission or power to act, whereas "approve" suggests endorsing or agreeing with a decision. The best choice depends on whether you're asking about the power to allow something or simply agreement with it.

How to use "did you authorise" in a sentence?

You can use "did you authorise" in questions like "Did you authorise the payment?" or "Did you authorise him to speak on your behalf?". Ensure the context makes it clear what action or decision you're inquiring about.