it was authorized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was authorized" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that permission or approval was granted for an action or decision in the past. Example: "The project proceeded smoothly because it was authorized by the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Microsoft, for its part, insisted that it was authorized to place the decals.

The New York Times

The Supreme Court found the mandate constitutional by saying it was authorized as part of the government's taxing authority — a decision that Mr. Romney said at the time he disagreed with.

The New York Times

Instead of promoting egg commodities broadly, as it was authorized to do, the American Egg Board used its funds to show ads to people who were searching for info about Hampton Creek products online.

TechCrunch

Instead of promoting egg commodities broadly, as it was authorized to do, the American Egg Board used its funds to show ads to people who were searching for info about Hampton Creek products online.

TechCrunch

With this sale the authority will have issued all of the $1.1 billion of bonds it was authorized to sell on behalf of the M.T.A. this year.

The New York Times

Then it was authorized by China invention patents (ZL201010200778.9).

Applied Thermal Engineering

It was authorized to carry both passengers and freight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was authorized by Abbott in the 1980's.

The New York Times - Arts

It was authorized to contract, purchase, or condemn as it saw fit.

Cornell University

It was authorized by Congress, installed on the National Mall, and paid for by appropriated funds.

Harvard University

The crux of the problem, however, was never excessive torture; it was authorized torture.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was authorized" to clearly indicate that a specific entity or action received official approval or permission. This phrase is particularly useful in formal contexts, such as legal, business, or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was authorized" when you actually mean "it was endorsed". Authorization implies official permission, while endorsement suggests support or recommendation. Make sure the context accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was authorized" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action or entity received official approval or permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Many examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, especially to confirm a legitimate permission.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was authorized" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something received official approval or permission. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, especially in news, academic, and encyclopedic sources. While versatile, "it was authorized" is best suited for formal and professional registers, where clarity and precision are paramount. Be sure to differentiate it from similar terms like "endorsed", ensuring that the term accurately reflects that the permission has been granted officially. The phrase is "it was authorized".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was permitted

Replaces "authorized" with "permitted", suggesting allowance but potentially less formal approval.

it was approved

Emphasizes the act of formally agreeing to or sanctioning something.

it received authorization

Focuses on the act of receiving the necessary authorization.

it was sanctioned

Suggests a formal or official approval, often by a higher authority.

it was empowered

Focuses on the granting of power or authority to do something.

it was licensed

Implies that a formal license or permit was granted.

it was cleared

Suggests that any obstacles or objections were removed, allowing something to proceed.

it was given the go-ahead

A more informal expression indicating that permission was granted to proceed.

it was given the green light

A common idiom meaning permission to proceed.

it had the backing of

Indicates support or endorsement from a particular entity or person.

FAQs

How can I use "it was authorized" in a sentence?

Use "it was authorized" to indicate that something received official approval or permission. For example, "The project proceeded smoothly because "it was authorized" by the board of directors".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was authorized"?

You can use alternatives like "it was permitted", "it was approved", or "it was sanctioned" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

What's the difference between "it was authorized" and "it was allowed"?

"It was authorized" typically implies a formal or official permission, whereas "it was allowed" suggests a more general or informal permission. Authorization often comes from a governing body or authority.

Is it correct to say "it is authorized" instead of "it was authorized"?

Yes, both are correct, but they have different meanings. "It is authorized" indicates a current state of permission, while ""it was authorized"" refers to a past event where permission was granted. The choice depends on the time frame you're referring to.