not authorized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not authorized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone does not have permission to access or perform a certain action. Example: "You will receive an error message stating that you are not authorized to view this document."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is not authorized.

The New York Times

They were not authorized to speak publicly.

The New York Times

"It's not authorized," he said.

The New York Times

"We're not authorized to accept the money".

The New York Times - Travel

We have not authorized any deal.

The New York Times

She recommended recalls of defective products; recalls were not authorized.

The New York Times

"I'm not authorized to work because of my status".

The New York Times

Generally, bankruptcy courts are not authorized to conduct jury trials.

The New York Times - Sports

They were not authorized to speak on the record.

The New York Times

But Kelly is not authorized to clear Rodriguez.

The New York Times - Sports

The economist was not authorized to speak publicly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, use "not authorized" to clearly communicate access restrictions and prevent ambiguity. It's direct and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "not authorized" without specifying the domain or action. Instead of saying "This is not authorized", clarify with "This action is "not authorized" for your user group".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not authorized" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a lack of permission or approval. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and suitable for use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not authorized" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of permission or approval. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media, scientific literature, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "unauthorized", "not permitted", and "not allowed" exist, "not authorized" provides a clear and direct way to indicate restrictions, though specificity regarding the scope of authorization enhances clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unauthorized

Single word alternative, less formal.

not permitted

Indicates something is against the rules.

not allowed

Similar to not permitted, but slightly more general.

not sanctioned

Suggests a lack of official approval or endorsement.

not approved

Implies a failure to meet requirements for approval.

without authorization

Formal phrasing indicating the absence of permission.

not empowered

Highlights the lack of authority to perform an action.

not entitled

Focuses on the lack of a right or claim to something.

prohibited

Emphasizes a more formal or legal restriction.

not cleared

Suggests that something has not passed necessary security or approval checks.

FAQs

What does "not authorized" mean?

The phrase "not authorized" means lacking the permission or approval to do something. It indicates a restriction or prohibition.

What can I say instead of "not authorized"?

You can use alternatives like "unauthorized", "not permitted", or "not allowed" depending on the context.

How do I use "not authorized" in a sentence?

Use "not authorized" to indicate that someone or something lacks permission to perform an action. Example: "You are "not authorized" to access this area".

Is it better to use "unauthorized" or "not authorized"?

Both "not authorized" and "unauthorized" are correct, but "not authorized" is more formal and explicit. "Unauthorized" is a single word, which can be more concise.