be permitted to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be permitted to know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's right or allowance to access certain information. Example: "Only those with the necessary clearance will be permitted to know the details of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He said that he told another F.B.I. agent who had attended the un-Mirandized interrogation that he, Agent Sidaros, should not "be permitted to know any of the contents of what was discussed".

The New York Times

"I believe," as Gladstone observed with studied ambivalence, "we shall be permitted to know a great deal more than our forefathers in respect of the early history of mankind".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

By the end of the eighties, Mikhail Gorbachev had begun to turn the Soviet Union into a country where people were permitted to know the truths that governed their lives.

The New Yorker

Part of what made the trial extraordinary was that the jury was permitted to know far less than what outsiders who had followed the case knew.

The New York Times

When the statuesque Ms. Alt praised the wedding dress — its secrecy maintained by the fact that only the 15 employees assigned to work on the dress were permitted to know about it — Ms. Burton jauntily replied, "It was fun".

The New York Times

And, not only are complainants and their lawyers prevented from being present at the court: until now they have not been permitted to know where the court is located.

The Guardian

Beyond a bare announcement that the sentences had been carried out, no Soviet citizen is permitted to know how or where the eight men, on whom the Soviet state had showered honors and titles during their lifetime, met their death, other than that they were shot, as the law requires.

The New York Times

It's impossible to judge the Garfield situation, because all we are permitted to know is that it has been prejudged for us, by people who refuse to tell us anything about either their evidence or their decision process.

TechCrunch

If you were permitted to know only three things about a mutual fund before deciding whether to own it, these are the questions you should ask: How well does this fund do in bull markets?

Forbes

And delivery of such a hugely significant political stroke in a terse one line statement on the official news agency and broadcast news serves to underline how little either the Chinese public or the world at large are permitted to know about the internal politics of the world's second-largest economy.

BBC

Next thing you know, players will be permitted to see only M.L.B.-certified physicians.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be permitted to know" when you want to emphasize that access to information is granted based on specific rules, regulations, or authorization.

Common error

Avoid using "be permitted to know" when you simply mean someone is able to find information. "Permitted" implies authorization, not just capability. For example, say "anyone can "find out" the details online" instead of "anyone is permitted to know the details online" if there aren't any restrictions to accessing the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be permitted to know" functions as a passive infinitive construction. It indicates that someone is granted authorization or permission to access certain information. Ludwig AI confirms this construction is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be permitted to know" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone has authorization to access specific information. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most common in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional tone. While alternatives like ""be allowed to know"" exist, "be permitted" emphasizes a formal granting of permission. Remember to use "be permitted to know" when authorization, not just the ability to find information, is the key point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be allowed to know

Replaces "permitted" with "allowed", indicating permission.

be authorized to know

Emphasizes formal authorization or clearance to access information.

have the right to know

Focuses on the legal or moral entitlement to information.

be entitled to know

Similar to "have the right to know", but can also imply expectation.

be cleared to know

Indicates that someone has passed a security check and is now allowed access.

be privy to know

Suggests being among a select group with access to confidential information.

be given access to know

Focuses on the act of granting access to information.

be in a position to know

Highlights the ability to know something based on circumstances or role.

be able to ascertain

Focuses on the act of discovering or finding something out.

have leave to know

Formal alternative, suggesting official permission.

FAQs

What does "be permitted to know" mean?

The phrase "be permitted to know" means to be given authorization or have the right to access certain information. It implies that there are rules or restrictions governing who can access this knowledge.

When is it appropriate to use "be permitted to know"?

Use "be permitted to know" when you want to emphasize that access to information is granted based on specific rules, regulations, or authorization. This phrase is often used in formal or official contexts, such as legal, governmental, or business settings.

What are some alternatives to "be permitted to know"?

Alternatives to "be permitted to know" include "be allowed to know", "have the right to know", or "be authorized to know". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "be permitted to know" formal or informal?

The phrase "be permitted to know" tends to be more formal than simply saying "can know" or "is able to know". It is appropriate for official or professional communications where authorization or access rights are being discussed.