are licensed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are licensed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has received official permission or certification to perform a specific activity or service. Example: "All the professionals in our firm are licensed to practice in their respective fields."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Few are licensed pilots.

The New York Times - Tech

Banks are licensed by the ministry.

The Economist

Instead, they are licensed to the purchaser.

The Economist

All of them run; most are licensed.

The New York Times

She and we are licensed intruders.

The Guardian - Books

These three doctors are licensed in New Jersey.

The New York Times

Few people care if the clinics are licensed.

The New York Times

The brokers are licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

The New York Times

Most are licensed but they remain loosely regulated.

The New York Times

Merchants are licensed to produce 'stationery products' exploiting the brand.

The Guardian - Arts

Some of the vans are licensed, but most are not.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about regulations or compliance, use "are licensed" to clearly state that an entity has met the necessary official requirements. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in legal or formal contexts.

Common error

While both phrases are similar, "are licensed" emphasizes the process of being authorized, while "have a license" focuses on the possession of the document. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning. For example: 'The technicians "are licensed" aestheticians' versus 'The technicians "have a license" to practice aesthetics'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are licensed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject has received official permission or authorization to perform a specific activity. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is both grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

20%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are licensed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression signifying that an entity has received official authorization or permission to operate within specific guidelines. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for conveying regulatory compliance and is frequently observed across diverse fields like news, science, and general information. Usage tips include understanding that while similar to "have a license", "are licensed" emphasizes the process of authorization, while "have a license" emphasizes possession. Remember to maintain clarity and precision when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are authorized

Emphasizes the act of being granted official permission.

hold a license

Focuses on the act of possessing the license rather than being granted it.

are permitted

Similar to 'authorized' but can imply a more informal allowance.

have been approved

Focuses on the act of receiving formal approval.

have certification

Highlights the certification aspect, implying a verification of competence.

are certified

Highlights that the individual or organization has met established standards.

are accredited

Implies that an organization has met specific standards.

possess credentials

Refers to having the necessary qualifications or documents.

are entitled

Indicates that someone has a right or qualification to do something.

are empowered

Suggests being given the power or authority to act.

FAQs

How can I use "are licensed" in a sentence?

You can use "are licensed" to indicate that individuals or entities have received official permission to perform specific activities. For example: "All doctors in this hospital "are licensed" by the state medical board."

What's the difference between "are licensed" and "are certified"?

"Are licensed" typically refers to having official permission granted by a governing body to perform a certain activity, while "are certified" usually indicates that someone has met certain standards of competence or skill. Though similar, "are certified" often focuses on expertise, while "are licensed" on legality.

What can I say instead of "are licensed"?

Alternatives to "are licensed" include "are authorized", "hold a license", or "are permitted". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "were licensed" instead of "are licensed"?

Yes, "were licensed" is correct when referring to a past event or state. For instance, "The daycare centers "were licensed" last year but need to renew their permits this year."