be permitted to attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"be permitted to attempt" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in formal contexts where permission is granted to try something. Example: "Students will be permitted to attempt the exam again next week." Alternative expressions include "be allowed to try" and "be authorized to attempt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Pilots would no longer be permitted to attempt a landing at the field in bad weather without an instrument flight plan or permission from regional air traffic controllers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In late 2013, the government was permitted to attempt a large-scale cull.

The New Yorker

The lands of the O'Neills and even of loyal Gaelic lords were declared forfeit in 1569, and, in a wave of enthusiasm for colonization, various questionable adventurers were permitted to attempt substantial plantations in Munster, Leinster, and Ulster.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If XRP measurements were above minimum values (i.e., saggital inlet 11 cm, saggital outlet 10 cm, transverse inlet 11.5 cm and transverse outlet 9 cm) women were permitted to attempt a planned VBAC (84 women).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Gautam also said that there is only "a slim chance" that expeditions would be permitted to continue attempts to climb Everest, the world's highest peak, this year, though "nothing has been officially announced".

The Guardian

In 1993, Utah state representative Dan Tuttle introduced what he called "the Ronnie Lee Gardner bill" in which he proposed that law enforcement officers be permitted to shoot inmates attempting to escape, whether they are "armed or not".

Wikipedia

According to the Talmud, they are not permitted to attempt more.

The New York Times - Health

But the apprentices were not permitted to attempt the more difficult labors of the miniaturist's art, such as carving the dragon heads at the feet of table legs, or forging the minuscule copper keys that turned the locks of drawers and chests.

The New Yorker

But the bowler is now permitted to attempt a run-out before releasing the ball and "provided he has not completed his usual delivery swing".

BBC

By law, bailiffs are permitted to use reasonable force against householders attempting to protect their goods.

Vice

As a player may deem her ball unplayable anywhere except in a water hazard, Christie was permitted to deem her ball unplayable rather than attempt the downhill putt.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place adverbs such as "no longer", "only" or "explicitly" immediately after the auxiliary verb to provide clear qualification of the permission.

Common error

Avoid doubling the concept of effort by saying "be permitted to try to attempt". The word "attempt" already implies the trial nature of the action. Choose one and stick with it for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be permitted to attempt" functions as a passive verb phrase followed by a to-infinitive. It is typically used to indicate that the subject has received authorization or clearance to perform an action where the success of that action is not guaranteed. In Ludwig, this is shown as a standard way to express regulated access.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Informal Conversation

3%

Creative Writing

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be permitted to attempt" is a sophisticated and grammatically correct construction widely used in professional writing. According to Ludwig, it is most prevalent in contexts involving regulations, scientific protocols and high-stakes reporting. It serves to clearly delineate between having permission and achieving success, focusing specifically on the right to try. While it has several synonyms like "be allowed to try", the main query remains the preferred choice for formal documentation where authority and precision are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be allowed to try

Less formal and more common in everyday spoken English.

be authorized to attempt

Implies a more official or legal grant of power.

have permission to attempt

Uses a noun-based construction rather than the passive voice.

be granted an attempt

Focuses on the attempt itself as a discrete unit being given.

be given leave to try

A traditional or legalistic way to express permission.

be permitted to undertake

Suggests a more substantial or formal task than a simple attempt.

be sanctioned to attempt

Implies official approval or endorsement from an authority.

be cleared to try

Common in operational or high-stakes contexts like aviation or medicine.

be eligible to attempt

Focuses on the subject meeting requirements to be allowed to try.

be entitled to attempt

Suggests that the permission is a right rather than a granted favor.

FAQs

How do I use "be permitted to attempt" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where permission is required to try something, for example: "Under the new rules, only certified divers will "be permitted to attempt" the deep-sea salvage."

What can I say instead of "be permitted to attempt"?

Depending on the formality, you can use "be allowed to try", "be authorized to attempt" or "be cleared to try".

Is "be permitted to attempt" correct for formal writing?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for formal writing, especially in legal, medical and journalistic contexts where precise language regarding permission is required.

What is the difference between "be permitted to attempt" and "be allowed to try"?

While both share the same meaning, ""be permitted to attempt"" is more formal and often used in official documentation, whereas "be allowed to try" is standard for conversational English.