grant a licence

USAGE SUMMARY

"grant a licence" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It means to give or allow permission for someone to do something. Example: The city council will grant a licence to the new restaurant to serve alcohol.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Getting the environment agency to agree on set-aside and grant a licence to start clearing can take years.

The Economist

As a result, the university now meets the required standards and we are able to grant a licence.

The Guardian

In '59, when the local papers reported that AEC was about to grant a licence to another offshore Atlantic dumper, the Cape Codders set out to protest.

The New Yorker

The government had asked Abbott to cut Kaletra's price by 42% or grant a licence for the state to produce it.

The Economist

The surreal, secret glasshouse in which Potter works understandably involved extensive discussions around security before the government would grant a licence.

The Guardian

"In law it's quite clear: Natural England cannot grant a licence for any purpose that would adversely affect the sustainable status of the species concerned.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

To date, 876 gangmasters have been granted a licence.

The Guardian

CGH had also been granted a licence to open a telecommunications company and a bank.

The Guardian

Until 1969, plays performed in Britain had to be granted a licence by the Lord Chamberlain.

The Guardian

This February the government announced it had granted a licence to Addaction.

The Guardian

The British Boxing Board of Control has said Hatton will be granted a licence upon completion of a medical.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing formal approvals, use "grant a licence" to denote official permission, especially in legal or regulatory contexts. For instance, "The environment agency will grant a licence to start clearing."

Common error

Remember that 'licence' is the noun (a permit), while 'license' is the verb (to permit). Use "grant a licence" (noun) and not "grant a license" (verb).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grant a licence" functions as a verb phrase where 'grant' is the verb, indicating the action of giving or bestowing, and 'licence' is the noun, representing the official permission. Ludwig confirms this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Unknown/unmatched sources

8%

News & Media

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grant a licence" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the act of giving official permission or authorization. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and formal communications. It's important to note the correct spelling, especially distinguishing between 'licence' (noun) and 'license' (verb). Common alternatives include "issue a permit" and "authorize permission". When writing, ensure the context aligns with the formal nature of the phrase and avoid confusing the noun and verb forms. Keep in mind the phrase's use and meaning, it can give the reader a good clarity of the formal process involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

license approval

This alternative phrase rearranges the words but essentially carries the same meaning.

issue a permit

Changes the noun from "licence" to "permit" and the verb from "grant" to "issue", implying a formal authorization.

authorize permission

Focuses on the act of authorizing, giving a formal right or permission.

bestow authorization

Replaces "grant a licence" with a more formal and emphatic expression of giving authority.

concede approval

Emphasizes the act of yielding or conceding in granting approval, which is closely related to licensing.

accord sanction

Implies official approval or sanction, synonymous with granting a licence.

allow accreditation

Shifts the focus to formal recognition or accreditation, which is a type of licensing.

certify compliance

Focuses on the act of certifying that something meets the required standards, which often involves licensing.

extend an entitlement

Highlights the granting of a right or privilege through a license.

give the go-ahead

Offers a more informal way to say granting a licence, indicating permission to proceed.

FAQs

What does "grant a licence" mean?

To "grant a licence" means to give official permission or authorization for someone to do something, such as operate a business or perform a specific activity. It implies a formal process of approval.

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

You can use "grant a licence" in sentences like: "The council will "issue a permit" to the new restaurant", or "Natural England can't "authorize permission" for activities that harm protected species".

What are some alternatives to "grant a licence"?

Some alternatives to "grant a licence" include "issue a permit", "authorize permission", or "concede approval" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "grant a licence" or "grant a license"?

"Grant a licence" is correct in British English, where "licence" is the noun. In American English, "license" can be used as both a noun and a verb, but in the context of granting permission, British English is more specific.