was authorized to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was authorized to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has been given permission or power to perform a specific action or task. Example: "The manager was authorized to approve the budget for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was authorized to carry both passengers and freight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Rieser was authorized to speak for the Senator).

The New Yorker

Dixon was authorized to exercise the hoard's proxy.

The New York Times

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

And the Attorney General was authorized to eliminate poll taxes wherever they remained.

The New Yorker

The 7(a) program was authorized to guarantee $16.5 billion in loans for the fiscal year.

The New York Times

I purchased a weapon and was authorized to carry it as a member of the judiciary.

The New York Times

The practical question was whether the Federal Communications Commission was authorized to set time limits.

The New York Times

None of the sources was authorized to speak on the record.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

No one on the SWAT team was authorized to request air support.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was authorized to" when you want to emphasize that someone had official permission or power to perform a specific action, often granted by a higher authority or set of rules.

Common error

Avoid using "was authorized to" when you simply mean someone had the ability to do something. Authorization implies permission, not just inherent capacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was authorized to" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that someone or something received permission or power to perform a specific action. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from legal permissions to internal organizational approvals. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was authorized to" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that someone or something received permission or power to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its frequent appearance in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Encyclopedias" signifies its formal and neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure it reflects genuine authorization rather than simple capability. Alternatives like "was permitted to" or "had permission to" can provide subtle variations in meaning. Be mindful of the contexts where the phrase is most effective and avoid common errors such as confusing authorization with capability. The varied examples provided by Ludwig show the phrase's utility in expressing legitimacy and delegated authority across diverse situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had permission to

Focuses on the granting of permission rather than the authority itself.

was permitted to

Emphasizes allowance rather than formal authorization.

was empowered to

Highlights the delegation of power or capacity.

was entitled to

Suggests a right or justified claim to do something.

was sanctioned to

Implies official approval or endorsement for an action.

was licensed to

Specifically refers to having a license granting permission.

was delegated the authority to

Explicitly states that authority was passed down to someone.

was given the green light to

An informal way of saying permission was granted.

was cleared to

Indicates that obstacles were removed, allowing an action.

had the mandate to

Emphasizes a formal instruction or command.

FAQs

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

Use "was authorized to" to indicate that someone had official permission or the right to do something. For example: "The CEO "was authorized to" sign the contract."

What are some alternatives to "was authorized to"?

Alternatives include "was permitted to", "was allowed to", or "had permission to". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

No, the correct preposition to use with "authorized" in this context is "to". "Was authorized of" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "was authorized to" and "was able to"?

"Was authorized to" means someone had permission or the right to do something, while "was able to" simply means they had the ability or capacity. For example, someone "was authorized to" access classified information but "was able to" complete the task quickly because of their expertise.