given to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given to do something" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to express a willingness or tendency to perform an action, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "He is given to do things his own way, often ignoring advice from others."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Shame didn't come up by name in the comments, but it lurked in the insightful remarks of Lt. Col. Eric Mulkey (3), when he wrote that some soldiers, even those who have seen combat, want that opportunity "that very few are given," — "to do something truly heroic…something truly significant with their lives," such as "throw themselves on a grenade to save their comrades".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

With corruption, you are given money to do something you would not have done otherwise.

The Guardian - Business

"It takes 23 players in a squad on any given day to do something special.

BBC

Will he give them money to do something, or not?

The Guardian - Opinion

"The technology gives students something to do, something to focus on.

The New York Times

"When you are invested in a horse, it gives you something to do, something to love and something to hope for," Spadaro said.

The New York Times - Sports

They give us money to do something".

Forbes

"Give yourself permission to do something extraordinary on planet earth".

Huffington Post

"The Baath Party gave us the opportunity to do something important".

The New Yorker

"We didn't wait for a screen to give us a signal to do something.

The New Yorker

But just because technology gives you the ability to do something, does that mean you should?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the awkward phrase "given to do something", opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "allowed to", "permitted to", or "authorized to", depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where "given" is incorrectly used to imply enablement or permission. Ensure that the agent granting permission or providing the means for action is clear and grammatically correct by using phrases as "allowed to" or "permitted to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given to do something" attempts to express enablement or permission, but it does so in a grammatically unsound manner. The Ludwig AI suggests the construction is incorrect, and that it lacks clarity. It does not conform to standard English syntax.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "given to do something" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is not recommended for use in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is not standard English and lacks clarity. It's best to replace it with clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "allowed to", "permitted to", or "enabled to" to accurately convey your intended meaning. While some examples exist, these should be viewed as exceptions rather than endorsements of the phrase's correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allowed to do something

This phrase explicitly states permission or authorization to perform an action.

permitted to do something

Similar to "allowed", this implies formal consent or lack of prohibition.

authorized to do something

This suggests official approval or legal right to perform an action.

enabled to do something

This indicates having the means, resources, or ability to accomplish something.

empowered to do something

This suggests being granted power or authority to take action.

entitled to do something

This conveys a right or justification to perform an action.

have the opportunity to do something

This highlights the availability of a chance or occasion to act.

tasked to do something

This specifies that someone has been assigned with a specific task.

assigned to do something

This is when someone is officially designated to perform a task.

commissioned to do something

This means that someone is contracted or formally instructed to carry out something specific.

FAQs

What does "given to do something" mean?

The phrase "given to do something" is not a standard English construction. It is generally interpreted as having permission or opportunity to perform an action, but is grammatically incorrect.

How can I use "given to do something" correctly?

It's best to avoid "given to do something" and use clearer alternatives such as "allowed to", "permitted to", or "authorized to". For example, instead of "He was given to do the task", say "He was allowed to do the task".

What are some alternatives to "given to do something"?

Better alternatives include "allowed to", "permitted to", "enabled to", or "have the opportunity to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "given to do something" formal or informal?

The phrase is neither formal nor informal, because it's grammatically incorrect. It should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. Use more appropriate phrases like "allowed to" or "permitted to" instead.