we were authorized by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were authorized by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that permission or approval was granted by a specific person or organization. Example: "We were authorized by the board to proceed with the project after presenting our proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We were authorized by Dr. Cella to use the diagnostic interview guide for CRF, and its Chinese-language version, for application in a clinical and research setting to determine the prevalence of CRF in Taiwan.

BMC Cancer

We collect only those communications that we are authorized by law to collect for valid foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes – regardless of the technical means used by the targets.

The Guardian

"We will conduct a forensic audit of Cambridge Analytica, which we hope to complete as soon as we are authorized by the UK's Information Commissioner," Facebook also writes on that.

TechCrunch

The programs, he said, were authorized by Congress and regularly reviewed by federal courts.

The New York Times

Although the wireless emergency alerts were authorized by Congress in 2006, they only recently went live.

The New Yorker

The biosynthesized AgNPs were authorized by UV vis spectrophotometer with surface plasmon resonance at 430 nm.

Industrial Crops and Products

All were authorized by their scientific professional association (the Dutch Society of Surgery, the Dutch Urological Association, and the Dutch Association of Anesthesiologists, respectively).

Gynecological Surgery

The tests were authorized by President Harry S. Truman on 27 June 1947.

Wikipedia

All experimental protocols were authorized by the Italian Ministry of Health (decree # 111/2004 B).

Plosone

All experimental procedures were authorized by the Committee for Animal Research, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan and/or Michigan State University, USA.

Plosone

The animal use protocols were authorized by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the Medical College of Georgia.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were authorized by", clearly state who granted the authorization to avoid ambiguity. For example, "We were authorized by the board of directors" is more specific than "We were authorized".

Common error

Avoid using "we were authorized" without specifying who granted the authorization. This can leave the reader wondering who provided the authority, weakening your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were authorized by" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject received permission or approval from a specific source to perform an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were authorized by" is a grammatically correct and usable construction indicating that permission or approval was granted by a specific entity. Ludwig AI confirms this. While relatively uncommon, it appears in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal communications. When using this phrase, clarity is paramount; specifying the authorizing entity avoids ambiguity. Alternatives like "we had permission from" or "we received authorization from" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Although the phrase is in the passive voice, the context often necessitates emphasizing the source of authorization, making it the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had permission from

Replaces 'authorized' with 'permission', emphasizing the granting of consent.

we received authorization from

Formal alternative, highlighting the act of receiving authorization.

we were given the go-ahead by

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate approval to proceed.

we were mandated by

Indicates a formal requirement or instruction.

we were sanctioned by

Implies official approval or endorsement.

we were empowered by

Suggests being given power or ability to act by someone.

we were delegated by

Highlights that authority was passed down from a higher level.

we were commissioned by

Suggests being formally tasked or hired to do something.

we were licensed by

Specifically refers to having a license granting permission.

we were certified by

Indicates official certification or validation.

FAQs

How can I use "we were authorized by" in a sentence?

Use "we were authorized by" to indicate that your actions or decisions have been approved by a specific entity. For instance, "We were authorized by the committee to proceed with the changes".

What are some alternatives to "we were authorized by"?

You can use alternatives like "we had permission from", "we received authorization from", or "we were given the go-ahead by", depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "we were authorized by"?

While "we were authorized by" is in the passive voice, it's often appropriate when emphasizing the authority behind an action. An active voice alternative would be "The committee authorized us", which emphasizes the authorizing entity more directly.

What's the difference between "we were authorized by" and "we were permitted by"?

"Authorized" implies a formal granting of power or right, whereas "permitted" suggests a more general allowance. You might be "authorized" by a legal body, but "permitted" by a supervisor to leave early.