it was unauthorized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was unauthorized" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was done without permission or approval. Example: "The access to the confidential files was unauthorized, leading to a breach of security protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In the middle of the party, the suit alleges, Ms. Adaya abruptly shut it down, claiming it was unauthorized.

The New York Times

"It was a mistake, it was unauthorized and it should never have been done," Mr. McArdle said of the directive.

The New York Times

In a Kaufman-esque stunt, before the release of the video, the band leaked excerpts to Web sites, claiming that it was unauthorized party footage of Mr. Grohl and Mr. Black.

The New York Times - Arts

The transition team was silent on why it asked for the names, DOE officials ultimately refused to provide them, and Trump's team ultimately disowned the questionnaire, saying it was "unauthorized".

Science Magazine

It was not until 11 15AM that that AP got the first inkling that it was unauthorized.

Huffington Post

But if the information was available to them on a government computer, how would they know it was unauthorized?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"It's unauthorized".

The New York Times

"It's unauthorized by the statutes and of questionable legality at best.

The New York Times

"It's unauthorized commercial use of our trademark," says Sprint Executive Vice President and General Counsel J. Richard Devlin.

Forbes

(Sometimes this was not necessary as the page clearly indicated it is unauthorized).

European Transport Research Review

The problem, of course, that Apple is likely to have with it is unauthorized interaction with their software, iTunes.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. While "it was unauthorized" is generally suitable for most contexts, more formal alternatives like "it was not sanctioned" might be preferable in professional documents.

Common error

Avoid using "it was unauthorized" without specifying what the 'it' refers to. Ensure the subject is clear to prevent confusion. For example, instead of "It was unauthorized", write "The data transfer was unauthorized".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was unauthorized" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that an action, item, or process lacked the necessary permission or approval. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig show its application in various contexts, highlighting its role in specifying a lack of legitimacy or sanction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was unauthorized" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a lack of permission or approval, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly featured in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, this phrase serves to clearly indicate that something happened without proper authorization. When using this phrase, ensuring that the subject is clearly defined helps prevent ambiguity. For scenarios needing enhanced formality, alternatives such as "it was not sanctioned" can substitute the original phrase. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and appropriate contexts, you can wield "it was unauthorized" with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it lacked authorization

Replaces "unauthorized" with a verb phrase indicating the absence of authorization.

it did not have approval

Uses a simpler structure to express the lack of approval.

it was not sanctioned

Replaces "unauthorized" with "not sanctioned", implying official disapproval.

it was not permissible

Uses a more formal tone to indicate that the action was not allowed.

it was against the rules

Indicates a violation of established rules or guidelines.

it was outside the bounds of authority

Emphasizes that the action exceeded the limits of granted authority.

it was illicit

Suggests the action was illegal or morally wrong.

it was a breach of protocol

Highlights that the action violated established protocols or procedures.

it was an infringement

Highlights that the action violated established rules or laws.

it was proscribed

Highlights the prohibited nature of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was unauthorized" to describe an action, access, or process that lacked the necessary approval or permission. For example, "The access to the system was unauthorized" or "The modification of the data was unauthorized".

What's a simpler way to say "it was unauthorized"?

Simpler alternatives include "it was not allowed", "it was forbidden", or "it was prohibited", depending on the level of formality required.

Is there a more formal way to say "it was unauthorized"?

Yes, a more formal alternative is "it was not sanctioned", which implies official disapproval. Another option is "it lacked authorization".

What's the difference between "it was unauthorized" and "it was illegal"?

"It was unauthorized" means something was done without permission, while "it was illegal" means something violated the law. An unauthorized action might not necessarily be illegal, but an illegal action is always unauthorized in a legal sense.