without my authorization

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without my authorization" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that an action was taken or a decision was made without your permission or consent. Example: "The document was shared with third parties without my authorization, which is a breach of confidentiality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Not only did they do this without my authorization, but also I am an advocate of gun control".

The Guardian

"They charged my credit card for a subscription without my authorization," huffed John on 800notes.com, a site with complaints about specific phone numbers.

The New York Times

Right after the meeting, without my authorization, the local C.I.A. chief in Panama called on General Noriega to find out how the meeting had gone.

The New York Times

Three months into my time in San Marcos, I made a troubling discovery on one of my visits to the Internet cafe: without my authorization, the stockbroker had put every penny of my funds in risky margin investments.

The New York Times

A statement from Mr. Taubman said: "I am absolutely innocent and have stated from the beginning of this investigation that whatever Dede Brooks chose to do, she did on her own and without my authorization".

The New York Times

While reporting this story I checked back with the Office of the Inspector General to find out why my account was closed without my authorization.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

NO pictures or videos are to be posted of my associates or myself without my prior authorization.

The New Yorker

Do you know why? Shall I tell you why? A. Because, first and foremost, it is once again a dilution of my work; it is an abusive commercialization of my work, without authorization; it is a manipulation of the work because, in many cases, my signature does not appear on the reproduction; it is an anonymization, if I can use that word without being scholarly.

Harvard University

There remains some vagueness in what "without authorization" means.

TechCrunch

How do you know the website operator deems you to be "without authorization"?

TechCrunch

By John O'Hara The New Yorker, July 26 , 1930P. 47 I called this meeting this afternoon on my own hook, without authorization of F.W; because he's so busy getting readiny for the European good-will trip that I didn't want to bother him unnecessarily.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without my authorization" to emphasize a breach of protocol, a violation of trust, or an instance where due process was not followed. It adds weight to your statement by highlighting the absence of legitimate approval.

Common error

Avoid using "without my authorization" when you simply mean you were unaware of something. Authorization implies a formal process of granting permission, so using it when no such process exists can be misleading. For example, saying "The weather changed without my authorization" is incorrect; instead, say "The weather changed without me noticing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without my authorization" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the manner in which an action was performed, specifically emphasizing the absence of permission or official approval. As Ludwig points out, the expression is generally correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without my authorization" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to denote actions taken without permission or approval. Ludwig confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it finds frequent application across various fields, notably in news, academia, and formal business settings. When you aim to convey that a specific act transpired without your sanction, "without my authorization" serves as a potent and explicit declaration. Be mindful of its specific implications, contrasting with mere unawareness, to ensure accuracy and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without my consent

Focuses on the lack of agreement or permission given.

without my permission

Emphasizes the absence of granted allowance for an action.

without my approval

Highlights that the action was not officially endorsed or sanctioned by the speaker.

without my endorsement

Stresses the lack of support or backing for the action.

without my sanction

Indicates the absence of formal approval or ratification.

without my say-so

Highlights that the action occurred despite the speaker not having any part in the decision-making process.

without my knowledge

Emphasizes that the speaker was unaware of the action taking place.

unbeknownst to me

Similar to "without my knowledge" but carries a slightly more literary or formal tone.

contrary to my directives

Indicates a direct violation of the speaker's instructions or orders.

in defiance of my orders

Stresses that the action was performed with direct disregard for the speaker's instructions.

FAQs

What does "without my authorization" mean?

The phrase "without my authorization" means that an action was taken or a decision was made without your permission, consent, or official approval. It implies a lack of legitimate authority for the action.

What can I say instead of "without my authorization"?

You can use alternatives like "without my consent", "without my permission", or "without my approval" depending on the context.

How to use "without my authorization" in a sentence?

You can use "without my authorization" to indicate that someone acted without your permission. For example: "The document was shared with third parties without my authorization".

Is it better to use "without my authorization" or "without my consent"?

Both "without my authorization" and "without my consent" are grammatically correct, but "without my authorization" is more suitable when referring to formal approvals, while "without my consent" applies more broadly to any agreement or permission.