Authorize vs Grant

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Authorize

Formal Top 2,000 (common) C1 verb

Grant

Formal Top 2,000 (common) B2 verb

	Authorize	Grant
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːθəraɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzd/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːθəraɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzd/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ɡrɑːnt/","/ɡrɑːnts/","/ˈɡrɑːntɪd/","/ˈɡrɑːntɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ɡrænt/","/ɡrænts/","/ˈɡræntɪd/","/ˈɡræntɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	To give permission or power to do something.	To give something, especially officially.
Example	I can authorize payments up to £5 000.	The teacher decided to grant the students extra time for their assignment.
Register	Formal	Formal
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	C1	B2
Part of speech	verb	verb
Collocations	authorize access, authorize a transaction, authorize a request, authorize changes	expressly, specifically, automatically, agree to, decide to, refuse to, expressly, specifically, automatically, agree to, decide to, refuse to
Antonyms	prohibit, forbid, disallow	revoke, withhold
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 'granted' which is the past tense., Using 'grant' without an object., Mixing up 'grant' with 'gift', thinking they are interchangeable.
Usage notes	Use 'authorize' in formal settings when discussing permission or approval, such as in business, law, or official documents. Avoid in casual conversations.	Typically used in formal contexts such as legal or educational settings. Avoid in casual conversations.

See it in real clips

if Mr. Woltz would grant us a favor.

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

Thank you, Sergeant Grant.

if Mr. Woltz would grant us a favor.

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

Thank you, Sergeant Grant.

Grant

Frequently asked questions: Authorize vs Grant

What's the difference between Authorize and Grant?

Authorize: To give permission or power to do something. Grant: To give something, especially officially.

Which is more advanced: Authorize and Grant?

Authorize is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Authorize and Grant the same CEFR level?

Authorize: C1, Grant: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Authorize and Grant?

Authorize: verb, Grant: verb.

Can you show an example of each?

Authorize: I can authorize payments up to £5 000. Grant: The teacher decided to grant the students extra time for their assignment.

Can I use Authorize and Grant interchangeably?

Not always. Authorize and Grant 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.