bestow a right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bestow a right" is correct and used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the grant of a privilege, advantage, or immunity, usually from a government or other higher authority. For example, "The prince granted the peasants the right to free trade, bestowing a right upon them that they had never before experienced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ruling on the issue this year, the court concluded that while Texas law provided prisoners a right to a lawyer for habeas corpus appeals, that provision did not bestow a right to competent counsel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

From the owner's perspective, it usually provides some proof of ownership and bestows a right to drive the vehicle on public roads (assuming the appropriate fees have been paid).

Crime Science

"Temporary" has no meaning if it bestows a permanent right.

The New York Times

Mr. Waxman said the heightened standard was warranted because it should not be easy to attack a government decision that bestowed a property right like a patent.

The New York Times - Tech

"If there is any truth to the old proverb that 'one who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client,' " Justice Harry A. Blackmun wrote, "the court by its opinion today bestows a constitutional right on one to make a fool of himself".

The New York Times

In fact, Mr. Obama has long been a supporter of the argument, disputed by this page, that the Second Amendment bestows an individual right to bear arms unrelated to raising a militia.

The New York Times

The next big innovation, introduced earlier this year, bestowed on traditional secure council tenants a "right to invest".

The Guardian

"[Education] is not a right that is bestowed upon us by our fathers and brothers.

Unicef

"Education is not a right that is bestowed upon us by our fathers and brothers," says Ms. Khalique.

Unicef

They argued that gender equality implies that women have (or should have) the right to drink what they want, a right that is bestowed socially rather than 'by alcohol'.

BMC Public Health

As the owner, you have the right to bestow a blessed dollop of mercy on a troubled employee, and I would urge you to do so.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bestow a right", consider the formality of the context. While grammatically correct, it can sound more formal or archaic than alternatives like "grant a right" or "give a right". Choose the wording that best suits your audience and purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "bestow a right" in casual or informal writing. The formality of the phrase can sound stilted or unnatural in everyday conversation or less formal written pieces. Simpler alternatives will often be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bestow a right" functions as a verb phrase where "bestow" is the verb indicating the action of granting or conferring, and "a right" is the direct object, specifying what is being granted. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bestow a right" is grammatically correct and is used to describe the formal granting of a privilege or entitlement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is valid in written English. While correct, it is a relatively uncommon expression, appearing most frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific articles. When writing, consider the formality of the context and whether a simpler alternative like "grant a right" or "give a right" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grant a right

This alternative uses a more common verb, "grant", which is nearly synonymous with "bestow" in this context.

confer a right

Similar to "grant", "confer" also implies formally granting a right or privilege.

give a right

This is a simpler and more direct way to express the act of granting a right.

accord a right

"Accord" suggests giving someone something due or appropriate, like a right.

ascribe a right

"Ascribe" implies attributing or assigning a right to someone.

endow with a right

"Endow" suggests providing someone with a quality or ability, including a right.

bestow a privilege

Using "privilege" instead of "right" shifts the connotation slightly, implying something less inherent.

invest with a right

"Invest" means to formally give someone power or authority, including a right.

convey a right

"Convey" focuses on the act of transferring or communicating the right.

bestow legal rights

Adds a legal aspect to the right that is bestowed.

FAQs

What does "bestow a right" mean?

The phrase "bestow a right" means to formally give or grant someone a particular entitlement, privilege, or power. It suggests a deliberate and often official act of conferring something significant.

How can I use "bestow a right" in a sentence?

Example: "The constitution "bestows certain rights" on all citizens." Remember that "bestow" is a more formal term, so use it in appropriate contexts.

What are some alternatives to "bestow a right"?

You can use alternatives like "grant a right", "confer a right", or "give a right", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "bestow a right" the same as "give a right"?

While both phrases mean to provide someone with a right, "bestow a right" is more formal and suggests a more significant or official action than "give a right". The choice depends on the context and desired tone.