entitled to have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entitled to have" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone or something deserves to receive something. For example, "The winners of the competition were each entitled to have their choice of prizes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He's entitled to have his opinion.

The Guardian - Sport

They're entitled to have you as their personal slave.

Independent

Perhaps he's entitled to have it both ways.

The New York Times - Arts

Iraq is entitled to have its special case heard.

The New York Times

'Rome is perfectly entitled to have its own festival.

The Guardian

Herbert: Aren't elected governments entitled to have a view?

The Guardian

"He's entitled to have an opinion on aesthetics.

The Guardian

Andrew would be entitled to have a lawyer present.

The Guardian

If it did, Mr Scargill was entitled to have the benefit of it.

Independent

"They are entitled to have a normal life, no matter what happened in the past".

The New York Times

"Vern Buchanan is entitled to have a fair hearing," Mr. Sessions said in an interview.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entitled to have" when emphasizing that someone has a legitimate claim or right to something based on law, agreement, or principle. For example, "Employees are entitled to have safe working conditions."

Common error

Avoid using "entitled to have" when suggesting someone simply deserves something based on merit or effort. Entitlement implies a specific right, not just general deservingness. For instance, instead of "He's entitled to have a promotion because he works hard", say "He deserves a promotion because he works hard" if there isn't a contractual or policy-based entitlement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entitled to have" functions as a verb phrase that signifies possession of a right or legitimate claim. This implies that the subject has a justifiable basis, whether legal, moral, or contractual, to possess or experience something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "entitled to have" is a versatile phrase used to assert a right or legitimate expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in English. Its frequency and appearance across reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times demonstrate its prevalence in various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject truly has a justifiable basis for their claim, and avoid using it simply to express deservingness. Remember that while everyone is "entitled to have" their opinion, some are also "entitled to have" their privacy or a fair hearing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a right to

Focuses on the inherent right rather than a granted entitlement.

be authorized to have

Emphasizes the permission granted by an authority.

be permitted to have

Highlights the allowance or explicit permission to possess or experience something.

be eligible to have

Indicates fulfillment of requirements to receive something.

be allowed to have

Suggests permission is granted, often implying a degree of leniency.

have the privilege to have

Highlights the special opportunity or honor associated with possession.

be warranted to have

Suggests a justifiable reason or basis for possessing something.

be sanctioned to have

Implies official approval or authorization to possess something.

be empowered to have

Highlights the enabling or authorizing aspect of gaining possession.

be qualified to have

Similar to 'eligible', but often implies deeper or more inherent qualifications.

FAQs

How can I use "entitled to have" in a sentence?

Use "entitled to have" to indicate a right or legitimate expectation. For example, "All citizens are "entitled to have" their voices heard in a democracy".

What are some alternatives to "entitled to have"?

You can use alternatives like "permitted to have", "authorized to have", or "have a right to" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "entitled to have" or "deserve to have"?

"Entitled to have" implies a legal or moral right, while "deserve to have" suggests earning something through merit or effort. Use "entitled to have" when there's a specific basis for the claim, otherwise use "deserve to have".

What's the difference between "entitled to have" and "allowed to have"?

"Entitled to have" implies a stronger, more justifiable right, whereas "allowed to have" suggests permission that can be revoked. If someone has a guaranteed right, use "entitled to have"; if it's simply a matter of being permitted, use "allowed to have".