allowed to be married

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed to be married" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing permissions or rights regarding marriage, often in legal or social discussions. Example: "In some cultures, individuals are not allowed to be married until they reach a certain age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We're not allowed to be married.

The New York Times

You weren't allowed to be married because they didn't want girls with families.

Independent

To sum up, they should not allowed to be married, they should go back to the closet".

Independent

"This isn't fair," Ms. Newland said this week, "because I'm not even legally allowed to be married to my partner, so I'm excluded right at the outset.

The New York Times

"Therefore, he might argue, why should he not be allowed to be married both to another man and also — not alternatively — to a woman?" It was a lot to think about.

The New York Times

"The whole question of women, the question of marriage — not even the question of same-sex marriage, which is a recent development — but the whole idea of priests not being allowed to be married — that's led to a lot of unhappy relationships and ugly relationships by people who are basically sick.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

We also discussed the rights her partner may be refused since they were not allowed to be legally married.

Huffington Post

After three months, she allowed herself to be married off to Bothwell, the chief suspect, after he abducted and ravished her.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"My commitment to the life of the church, including celibacy, does not allow me to be married," wrote the archbishop, who is 71.

The New York Times

But in 1998 Parliament revised it, allowing girls to be married earlier as long as they did not move in with their husbands until they reached sexual maturity.

The New York Times

And in sixty-one countries, the law explicitly allows girls to be married at younger ages than boys.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or social contexts, use "allowed to be married" to clearly indicate permissions or rights related to marriage. For instance, "In many countries, same-sex couples are now allowed to be married."

Common error

Avoid using "allowed to be married" when the context refers to personal choices rather than legal or social permissions. For example, instead of saying "He was allowed to be married by his parents", use "He was permitted to marry" or "He chose to marry" if the focus is on personal decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed to be married" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, indicating a state of permission or legal authorization to enter into marriage. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it often appears in discussions about rights, laws, and social norms surrounding marriage. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allowed to be married" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate legal or social permission to marry. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate to use in discussions concerning marriage rights, equality, and historical restrictions. The expression is generally neutral in tone and commonly found in news, media, science and encyclopedic contexts. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider the nuance and choose alternatives like "permitted to marry" or "entitled to marry" when a different emphasis is needed. Avoiding its use when discussing personal choices, without the context of permission, ensures clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to get married

Highlights the capability or possibility of marrying.

allowed to wed

A more concise version using the synonym "wed" of "married".

permitted to be wed

Replaces "married" with "wed" for a slightly more formal or traditional tone.

can legally marry

Emphasizes the legal aspect of being allowed to marry.

free to marry

Suggests the absence of legal or social restrictions on marriage.

eligible for marriage

Focuses on the eligibility or qualification for entering into marriage.

entitled to marry

Emphasizes the legal or moral right to get married.

have permission to marry

Directly states that permission is granted for marriage.

authorized to be married

Implies official approval or sanction for marriage.

not prohibited from marrying

Expresses allowance in a negative construction, indicating the absence of a prohibition.

FAQs

How can I use "allowed to be married" in a sentence?

Use "allowed to be married" to describe scenarios where permission or legal right to marry is being discussed. For instance, "Previously, interracial couples were not always allowed to be married in some states."

What are some alternatives to "allowed to be married"?

You can use alternatives like "permitted to marry", "eligible for marriage", or "entitled to marry" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "allowed to be married" and "able to be married"?

"Allowed to be married" typically refers to legal or social permission, while "able to get married" refers to capability or possibility. For example, someone might be legally allowed to be married but not able to due to personal circumstances.

When is it incorrect to use "allowed to be married"?

It's generally incorrect to use "allowed to be married" when discussing personal choices without a context of permission or legality. In such cases, use alternatives like "chose to marry" or "decided to get married".