obtained authorization

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtained authorization" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of receiving permission or approval for something, often in formal or legal contexts. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, we ensured that we obtained authorization from the relevant authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He quickly obtained authorization from Stanton to confront these officers and keep the trains moving.

The New York Times

The first came just a few days after Internal Affairs investigators and the Bronx district attorney's office obtained authorization for their first wiretap on the phone of a police union delegate, one of those with knowledge of the case said.

The New York Times

Muxtape has not obtained authorization from our member companies to host or stream copies of their sound recordings.

TechCrunch

There is no question the Union sought and obtained authorization from its members to terminate its status as the exclusive bargaining representative.

Huffington Post

However, some media outlets have suggested he sourced the information from an article that the far-right website Breitbart News ran Friday, claiming that Obama "sought, and eventually obtained, authorization to eavesdrop on the Trump campaign".

Huffington Post

As for what inspired Trump's pre-golf tweetstorm, it appears to be a Breitbart article that aggregated some commentary by a conservative radio host, then rather baselessly concluded that "the Obama administration sought, and eventually obtained, authorization to eavesdrop on the Trump campaign".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Vaccine coverage surveys were implemented after obtaining authorization from the same authorities.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Police must obtain authorization from a judge or, in emergencies, the highest administrative authority before taking such action.

Forbes

"In principle, there is nothing in this train which would be ruled out as far as it being able to obtain authorization," said Richard Clifton, head of the British delegation to the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority.

The New York Times

They could adopt a uniform process of obtaining authorization for tests, procedures or consultations.

The New York Times

They also said that, in obtaining authorization for the wiretaps, the S.E.C. made false statements about the government's key cooperating witness, Roomy Khan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obtained authorization", specify the source of the authorization to provide clarity and context. For example: "obtained authorization from the ethics committee."

Common error

Avoid using "obtained authorization" without specifying from whom or what entity the authorization was received. Saying "We obtained authorization" without further detail leaves the reader wondering who granted the permission.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtained authorization" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of receiving formal approval or permission. Ludwig AI shows that it is often used to describe actions taken after gaining official consent for various activities, such as research or projects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obtained authorization" is a grammatically sound and professionally appropriate way to describe the act of receiving official permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently encountered in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify the source of the authorization to enhance clarity. Alternatives like "secured permission" or "received approval" can be used depending on the desired tone. Be aware to not be vague in your writings specifying always what granted the authorization itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secured permission

Replaces "obtained" with a synonym, "secured", maintaining a similar level of formality.

received approval

Uses "received" instead of "obtained", offering a slightly more passive voice.

acquired consent

Substitutes "authorization" with "consent", implying a more personal or voluntary agreement.

gained clearance

Replaces "authorization" with "clearance", often used in security or procedural contexts.

procured a license

Replaces "authorization" with "license", indicating a formal permit, and changes "obtained" to "procured", implying more effort.

attained sanction

Uses "attained" for "obtained" and "sanction" for "authorization", suggesting a formal or authoritative endorsement.

solicited permission

Replaces "obtained" with "solicited", emphasizing the act of requesting permission.

sought and received approval

Emphasizes both the seeking and receiving of approval, adding a bit more detail.

had authorization granted

Rephrases the sentence in a passive voice, shifting the focus to the authorization being granted.

got the green light

An informal idiom meaning to receive approval to proceed.

FAQs

How is "obtained authorization" used in formal writing?

In formal writing, "obtained authorization" indicates that permission or approval was formally secured for a specific action or activity. For instance, "The researchers "obtained authorization" from the review board before commencing the study."

What are some alternatives to "obtained authorization"?

Alternatives to "obtained authorization" include "secured permission", "received approval", or "gained clearance". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "obtained authorization"?

Using the active voice (e.g., "The team "obtained authorization"") is generally clearer and more direct than the passive voice (e.g., "Authorization was obtained by the team"). However, the passive voice can be useful when the actor is unknown or less important than the action itself.

What is the difference between "authorization" and "permission"?

"Authorization" typically implies a more formal or official approval process than "permission". While both terms involve allowing something, "authorization" often involves adherence to specific rules, regulations, or legal requirements. You may use the alternative "secured permission" if the context is less formal.