be permitted to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be permitted to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express permission or authorization for someone to do something. Example: "Visitors are not permitted to enter the museum before 9am."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They can't be permitted to walk away.

The New York Times

You should eventually be permitted to fly.

The Guardian

Should you be permitted to run?

Columbia University

It cannot be permitted to materialize.

The Washington Post

Exceptions would be permitted to protect the mother's life.

The New York Times

Would a Mormon be permitted to do that?

The Guardian

Those registered as unaffiliated will be permitted to cast ballots.

The New York Times

The peacekeepers were not to be permitted to save Tutsis.

The Guardian

Would a nun be permitted to read novels?

The New York Times

He asked to be permitted to represent himself.

The New York Times

Occasionally, she should not be permitted to speak at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be permitted to" in formal contexts when you want to emphasize that an action is officially allowed or authorized. This phrase adds a layer of formality and is suitable for legal documents, official guidelines, and academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be permitted to" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be allowed to" or "can" in such situations to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be permitted to" is to express permission or authorization. It acts as a modal verb phrase indicating that someone is allowed or has the right to perform a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be permitted to" is a highly common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate formal permission or authorization. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific domains, suggesting its suitability for formal contexts. While alternatives like "be allowed to" exist, "be permitted to" maintains a distinct level of formality. When writing, it's crucial to reserve "be permitted to" for situations where emphasizing official allowance is essential, and to avoid overusing it in casual settings. The phrase functions as a modal verb phrase, and its purpose is to convey that an action is officially sanctioned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be allowed to

Indicates a more general form of permission, slightly less formal than "be permitted to".

be authorized to

Implies a formal authorization, often by an official body or person.

be entitled to

Suggests a right or qualification to do something.

have leave to

A more formal and sometimes archaic way of saying "be permitted to".

be empowered to

Indicates that someone has been given the power or authority to do something.

be in a position to

Highlights the ability to do something due to circumstance, though not direct permission.

be free to

Implies a lack of restrictions rather than explicit permission.

be eligible to

Suggests qualification based on meeting certain requirements.

be sanctioned to

Indicates an official approval or endorsement.

be enabled to

Emphasizes having the means or capability to do something.

FAQs

What does "be permitted to" mean?

The phrase "be permitted to" means to have authorization or official allowance to do something. It indicates that an action is not prohibited and is, in fact, explicitly or implicitly allowed.

How can I use "be permitted to" in a sentence?

You can use "be permitted to" to indicate that someone has the authorization to perform a specific action. For example, "Students will "be permitted to use" the library after school hours."

What are some alternatives to "be permitted to"?

Alternatives to "be permitted to" include "be allowed to", "be authorized to", or simply using "can" or "may" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "be permitted to" instead of "be allowed to"?

While both phrases convey permission, "be permitted to" is generally more formal than "be allowed to". Use "be permitted to" in formal writing or official contexts where you want to emphasize the official authorization of an action.