he was authorized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was authorized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has been given permission or power to do something. Example: "He was authorized to access the confidential files for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 425 he was authorized to use the fleet for operations around the Peloponnese.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Colonel Canders said he was authorized to deploy 284 of the unit's 900 reservists.

The New York Times

But, the officer said that he was authorized to issue them two single beds.

The New Yorker

As vice president, he was authorized by Mr. Harding to approve the housing agency's corporate spending.

The New York Times

He'd apparently told people that he was authorized to implant tracking devices in patients' teeth.

The New Yorker

Educated at Vienna University and ordained in 1785, he was authorized to establish Redemptorist monasteries in northern Europe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Kim Yong Chol said he was authorized only to receive a letter Trump had written to Kim Jong Un.

The Washington Post

In the meantime, if Zadran's men could lead the Americans to Taliban weapons caches, he was authorized to pay out reward money.

The New Yorker

"This was property accumulated over 30 years of loyal service to the Mets, and again, he was authorized to have it".

The New York Times - Sports

Finally, on April 10, he was authorized to reconstruct the ministry on the understanding that a Catholic relief bill was not to be forced on the king.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"He didn't say anything until 1997, and it took me two years to rebuild his records and show that he was authorized for an award".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was authorized" when you want to clearly state that someone had the official permission or power to do something. Ensure the context specifies who granted the authorization.

Common error

Avoid using "he was authorized" when you actually mean "he was able". Authorization implies permission, while ability implies capability. For example, say "he was authorized to access the files", not "he was authorized to solve the problem" if you mean he had the skills.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was authorized" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received permission or power to perform an action. Ludwig's examples show it's used to convey legitimacy or legitimacy in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

13%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was authorized" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that someone has received official permission or power to act. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a passive voice construction and serves to convey legitimacy. It is prevalent in news media, encyclopedias, and academic writing, signifying a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure you clearly specify who granted the authorization and avoid confusing it with ability. Consider alternatives like "he had permission" or "he was permitted" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he had permission

Replaces "authorized" with "permission", focusing on the act of being allowed to do something.

he was permitted

Similar to "he had permission", but uses the verb "permit" to express authorization.

he was empowered

Shifts the focus to the individual having the power or ability to act.

he had the authority

Emphasizes the right or power to give orders or make decisions.

he received authorization

Highlights the act of receiving the authorization, rather than the state of being authorized.

he was given leave

Implies a formal granting of permission, often for a specific action.

he was cleared

Suggests that any necessary checks or approvals were completed, allowing him to proceed.

he was delegated

Indicates that authority or responsibility was assigned to him by someone else.

he was commissioned

Emphasizes that he was officially tasked or appointed to do something.

he was sanctioned

Suggests that his actions were officially approved or endorsed.

FAQs

What does "he was authorized" mean?

The phrase "he was authorized" means that someone was given official permission or the power to do something. It implies that a higher authority granted this person the right to act.

What can I say instead of "he was authorized"?

You can use alternatives like "he had permission", "he was permitted", or "he was empowered" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he was authorize"?

No, "he was authorize" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "he was authorized", which uses the past participle of the verb "authorize".

How do I use "he was authorized" in a sentence?

You can use "he was authorized" in sentences like: "He was authorized by the CEO to sign the contract" or "He was authorized to access the confidential documents." Always specify who granted the authorization.