Permission was given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Permission was given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has received approval or authorization for a specific action or request. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, it is important to note that permission was given by the management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Permission was given for one of them to dress in acolyte's robes & stand close to his camera.

The New Yorker

"Permission was given for the Top Gear car to drive down Whitehall before moving to another location," said the spokeswoman.

The Guardian

Permission was given for a three-year conversion, after which the commission will decide whether to allow the owners to continue using the theater as a nightclub.

The New York Times

"Permission was given for three Nile crocodiles in the area to be shot, and one of them contained Mr Van Zyl's remains," he said.

BBC

Permission was given for the plan to use the seabed off the village of Oystermouth after a request from shellfish expert Andy Woolmer.

BBC

Permission was given to proceed.

Huffington Post

Permission was given, and teams of engineers began drilling core samples and surveying in Alaska.

Wikipedia

Permission was given after Belushi and Aykroyd offered to donate $50,000 to charity after filming.

Wikipedia

Permission was given to move the see of Somerset from Wells – a comparatively small settlement – to the then walled city of Bath.

Wikipedia

Permission was given for respondent views to be tape-recorded.

BMC Health Services Research

Permission was given by 1247 participants to contact their mothers.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Permission was given" to clearly and directly state that authorization for a specific action or event has been granted. This construction is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "Permission was given" when an active voice construction would be more direct and concise. For instance, instead of "Permission was given by the committee", consider "The committee gave permission."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Permission was given" functions as a statement indicating that authorization or consent has been granted for a particular action or event. Ludwig shows it is widely used across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Permission was given" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate that authorization or approval has been granted. As Ludwig AI indicates, it appears frequently in news, scientific literature, and general-purpose websites. While suitable for many contexts, writers should consider more direct, active voice constructions for conciseness. Alternative phrases like "Authorization was granted" or "Approval was given" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Authorization was granted

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of granting official approval.

Approval was given

A more general alternative indicating agreement or endorsement.

Consent was provided

Emphasizes the voluntary agreement to a proposal or action.

Clearance was obtained

Focuses on overcoming obstacles or meeting requirements for approval.

Leave was granted

Specific to receiving permission to be absent or to take action.

The go-ahead was given

Informal alternative indicating that action can proceed.

Sanction was given

Formal alternative, implying official approval or endorsement, often in legal or regulatory contexts.

The green light was given

Informal phrase indicating that approval has been granted, and the project can proceed.

License was issued

Implies a formal document providing official permission for a specific activity.

One was authorized

Focuses on the empowerment of an individual to perform an action.

FAQs

What does "Permission was given" mean?

The phrase "Permission was given" means that someone or some authority has granted approval or authorization for something to happen or be done.

How can I rephrase "Permission was given"?

You can use alternatives such as "Authorization was granted", "Approval was given", or "Consent was provided" depending on the context. Consider also "the green light was given" for a more informal tone.

Is "Permission was given" formal or informal?

The phrase "Permission was given" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, "Authorization was granted" might be preferable.

What is the difference between "Permission was given" and "Permission was taken"?

"Permission was given" indicates that approval was officially granted. In contrast, "Permission was taken" suggests that someone acted without seeking or receiving approval, implying a possibly unauthorized action.