were authorized to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were authorized to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has been given permission or power to do something in the past. Example: "The committee members were authorized to make decisions on behalf of the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The technical scope, methods, and data collection were authorized to be determined by the author.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

This was as far as they were authorized to go.

The New York Times - Magazine

Judges in those days were authorized to carry a weapon.

The New York Times

Theatre commanders were authorized to order bottling plants, much as they ordered ammunition.

The New Yorker

Before today's agreement, airlines in each country were authorized to fly 44 round trips a week.

The New York Times

The Saudis were authorized to buy seven thousand and twenty Paveway-II bombs.

The New Yorker

None of them were authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.

The New York Times - Sports

He had earlier declared that security forces were authorized to take any action deemed necessary.

The New York Times

It said all nonemergency government workers and their families were authorized to leave.

The New York Times

But if they had to return fire to get out, they were authorized to do it".

The New York Times

Neither he nor Lin, the factory manager, were authorized to make Nikes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were authorized to", ensure that the source of the authorization is clear to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who granted the authorization or under what regulations it was given.

Common error

While "were authorized to" is grammatically correct, overuse can lead to passive constructions. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "They were authorized to conduct the audit", try "The council authorized them to conduct the audit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were authorized to" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone or some group received official permission or the legal right to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples showcase various subjects receiving authorization from different sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were authorized to" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate that someone or something had the official permission or legal right to perform a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. It's important to consider the potential for passive voice construction and ensure clarity regarding the source of authorization. Alternative phrases like "were permitted to" or "had permission to" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. The high usage and reliable sources support the phrase's credibility and versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had permission to

Implies formal consent or approval was granted; slightly less formal.

were permitted to

Indicates allowed action; similar in formality but emphasizes allowance.

were empowered to

Highlights the granting of power or authority; stronger emphasis on agency.

were entitled to

Suggests a right or claim to do something; implies legitimacy.

had the right to

Focuses on legal or moral entitlement; emphasizes justification.

were cleared to

Suggests passing a clearance or approval process; context specific.

were sanctioned to

Implies official endorsement or approval; typically more formal.

were delegated to

Indicates that a task was entrusted or assigned; emphasizes the act of delegation.

were commissioned to

Highlights the act of being officially tasked for specific assignment.

were licensed to

Emphasizes the holding of a license that grants the authorization.

FAQs

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

Use "were authorized to" to indicate that someone had the permission or power to do something in the past. For example: "The researchers "were authorized to" collect data for the study."

What are some alternatives to "were authorized to"?

You can use alternatives like "were permitted to", "had permission to", or "were empowered to" depending on the specific context.

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

While "were authorized to" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can make your writing more direct. For example, instead of saying "The changes "were authorized to" be implemented by the board", you could say "The board authorized the implementation of the changes."

What's the difference between "were authorized to" and "were allowed to"?

"Were authorized to" typically implies a formal permission or legal right, while "were allowed to" is more general and can refer to informal permission or lack of restriction. Authorization often comes from an official source or governing body.