Cool MateAuthorize vs You let five people die
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Authorize
FormalTop 2,000 (common)C1verb
You let five people die
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: AuthorizeMost common: Authorize
| Authorize | You let five people die | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːθəraɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzd/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːθəraɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzd/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ lɛt faɪv ˈpiːpəl daɪ//🇺🇸 //ju lɛt faɪv ˈpipəl daɪ// |
| Meaning | To give permission or power to do something. | You allowed five people to die. |
| Example | I can authorize payments up to £5 000. | You let five people die in the accident last year. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | authorize access, authorize a transaction, authorize a request, authorize changes | let go, let in, let down, let be, let loose |
| Antonyms | prohibit, forbid, disallow | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'authorize' with 'authentic' as they have different meanings., Using 'authorize' without an object when it needs one (e.g., 'authorize access' not just 'authorize')., Mixing up 'authorize' with 'permit', which can have slightly different uses. | Confused with 'let' vs 'allow', thinking they mean entirely the same., Using 'let' in passive voice incorrectly., Incorrect verb form after 'let', such as 'letted' instead of 'let'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'authorize' in formal settings when discussing permission or approval, such as in business, law, or official documents. Avoid in casual conversations. | Use 'let' in contexts where permission or allowance is implied. Avoid in formal writing. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Authorize vs You let five people die
What's the difference between Authorize and You let five people die?
Authorize: To give permission or power to do something. You let five people die: You allowed five people to die.
Which is more formal: Authorize and You let five people die?
Authorize is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Authorize and You let five people die?
Authorize is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Authorize: I can authorize payments up to £5 000. You let five people die: You let five people die in the accident last year.
Can I use Authorize and You let five people die interchangeably?
Not always. Authorize and You let five people die are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.