free licence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "free licence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a license that is provided at no cost, often in the context of software or creative works. Example: "The software is available for download with a free licence, allowing users to access all features without any payment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also provides studios with a free licence to develop using the popular Unity engine.

The Guardian - Tech

By then, the Conservative party will have fulfilled its manifesto pledge on the free licence fees.

The Guardian

The cost of free licence fees for over-75s was £606m last year.

The Guardian

When I did inquire, in June this year, it was confirmed I was eligible for a free licence.

Independent

One suggestion is that the cash could go to help fund free licence fees for over-75s.

The Guardian

Free licence fees for the over-75s were introduced by the then chancellor Gordon Brown in 2001.

The Guardian

Black also stressed that Farah's training and preparation was closely monitored by British Athletics and that Salazar was not given free licence with the country's most successful athlete.

The Guardian - Sport

He said the £750m cost of taking on free licence fees for over-75s was more than matched by the deal he had struck with with the Treasury.

The Guardian

A week later, he agreed a financial settlement with the government that saw the corporation agree to pay for free licence fees for the over-75s.

The Guardian

Whittingdale has said he believes it is "difficult to justify" a free licence fee, which costs £145.50, being universally available to all over-75s.

The Guardian

In July, the BBC struck a funding deal with the government that include taking on the £750m cost of free licence fees for over-75s by 2020.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering a "free licence", clearly state the terms and conditions associated with it. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures users are aware of any limitations or obligations.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "free licence" grants unlimited usage rights. Always verify the specific terms to prevent copyright infringement or violation of usage agreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "free licence" functions as a modifier + noun combination, where "free" describes the type of "licence". According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase in English, which Ludwig confirms through numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "free licence" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a licence that is offered at no cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans a wide range of contexts, primarily in news, business, and technical domains. While alternatives like ""complimentary license"" or ""no-cost license"" exist, "free licence" is a direct and well-understood term. When using this phrase, remember to clarify the specific terms and conditions, as a "free licence" doesn't necessarily imply unlimited usage rights. Being precise about what the user can and cannot do with the licence is essential to avoid potential legal issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complimentary license

Replaces "free" with "complimentary", indicating the licence is provided as a courtesy at no cost.

no-cost license

Uses "no-cost" instead of "free", directly emphasizing that there is no charge for the licence.

gratis license

Employs "gratis", a more formal term for free, to convey the same meaning.

royalty-free license

Indicates that there are no ongoing royalty payments associated with the licence.

unrestricted license

Highlights the lack of limitations or restrictions typically associated with standard licences.

open license

Suggests the license allows for broad usage and modification rights, common in open-source contexts.

public domain license

Indicates that the licensed material is not protected by copyright and is freely available for use by anyone.

waiver of licensing fees

Explicitly states that the usual fees associated with licensing have been waived.

zero-cost permission

Replaces license with permission, emphasizing the authorization aspect at no expense.

complimentary authorization

Similar to complimentary license, using authorization to further express permissibility.

FAQs

How can I use "free licence" in a sentence?

You might say, "The software is available under a "free licence" for non-commercial use" or "The developers provide a "free licence" to encourage community contributions."

What are some alternatives to "free licence"?

Alternatives include "complimentary license", "no-cost license", or "gratis license", each emphasizing the absence of a fee in slightly different ways.

Is it correct to say "licence is free" instead of "free licence"?

While grammatically understandable, "licence is free" is less idiomatic than ""free licence"". The latter is the more conventional and readily recognized phrasing.

What's the difference between a "free licence" and an "open source licence"?

A ""free licence"" simply indicates that there is no cost associated with obtaining the licence. An "open source licence", on the other hand, grants users the right to use, modify, and distribute the software or content, often under specific conditions.