grant a privilege

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grant a privilege" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of giving someone a special right or advantage. Example: "The committee decided to grant a privilege to the top-performing students, allowing them early access to registration."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

His Sicilian enterprise was unpopular in Aragon, where an association of nobles and some municipalities, the Unión Aragonesa, forced him to grant a privilege not only confirming the Aragonese fueros (legal rights) but diminishing some of the crown's rights.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When Manet obtained permission to copy it in 1857, he was granted a privilege still not extended to all artists.

The New York Times - Arts

Louis III granted a privilege by which the office of abbess was to continue in the ducal family as long as any member was found willing and competent to accept it.

Britannica

One is for retrieving the patient data from IMD, and the other is for granting a privilege to the physician to send a treatment command, such as device parameter changes.

BioMed Research International

Mr. Merletti and other Secret Service officials are demanding that the issue be fought to the Supreme Court and in Congress, which could pass a law to grant such a privilege.

The New York Times

Speaking on the matter in Parliament in 2009, the Minister for Law, K. Shanmugam, said that the right to vote could not be a mere privilege as this would imply the existence of an institution superior to the body of citizens that is empowered to grant such a privilege, but that no such institution exists in a free country.

Wikipedia

As the contract in question was expressly limited to 25 years, and as no attempt was made to grant an exclusive privilege to the water company, the city seems to have acted within the strictest limitation of the charter.

Cornell University

The last of these was possible only because of a generous grant from my university--a privilege most middle-class youth do not have.

Huffington Post

But although American airlines are already allowed to operate routes within Europe, European airlines would not be granted a reciprocal privilege within America.

The Economist

It is almost 25 years to the day that I was granted a similar privilege in having an engine named after Brookside.

The Guardian

The earliest notable glass made in England other than primitive forest glass was façon de Venise; a Venetian émigré, Jacopo Verzelini (1522 1606), produced it in London from 1573 and was granted a royal privilege for glassmaking in 1575.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grant a privilege", ensure the context clearly defines the nature and scope of the privilege being conferred. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "grant a privilege" when the action is simply fulfilling a right or entitlement. "Grant a privilege" should refer to something beyond standard rights, like offering exclusive access or waiving certain requirements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grant a privilege" functions as a verb phrase where 'grant' acts as a transitive verb, and 'a privilege' serves as its direct object. This construction indicates the act of conferring a special right or advantage, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grant a privilege" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies the act of bestowing a special right or advantage. According to Ludwig, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news, academia, encyclopedias, science and wiki. Its formality ranges from neutral to formal. When using the phrase, it's important to clearly define the scope of the privilege and to avoid using it when simply fulfilling a standard right. Alternatives like "bestow a right" or "confer a benefit" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bestow a right

Focuses on the act of formally conferring a right, emphasizing the official or legal aspect.

confer a benefit

Highlights the act of providing an advantage or positive outcome, shifting the focus from specific rights to general advantages.

accord a favor

Emphasizes the act of granting something as a kindness or act of goodwill, rather than a formal entitlement.

extend an advantage

Highlights the act of prolonging or expanding an existing benefit or opportunity.

give an entitlement

Focuses on providing a guaranteed right or claim, emphasizing the recipient's inherent eligibility.

award a prerogative

Emphasizes the act of granting an exclusive right or power, typically associated with a specific position or status.

allow a special dispensation

Highlights granting an exception to a rule or requirement, emphasizing the unique or unusual nature of the allowance.

authorize a concession

Focuses on the act of officially permitting a compromise or allowance, often in negotiations or disputes.

concede an exception

Emphasizes yielding or granting an unusual allowance, highlighting a departure from normal procedures.

permit a liberty

Highlights granting freedom or flexibility, emphasizing relaxation of restrictions or rules.

FAQs

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

You can use "grant a privilege" to describe the act of bestowing a special right or advantage. For example, "The university may "grant a privilege" to students with disabilities."

What phrases are similar to "grant a privilege"?

Similar phrases include "bestow a right", "confer a benefit", or "accord a favor". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "grant a privilege" or "give a privilege"?

"Grant a privilege" is generally considered more formal than "give a privilege". "Grant" implies a more official or authoritative action.

What's the difference between "grant a privilege" and "extend a privilege"?

"Grant a privilege" refers to the initial act of giving a special right, while "extend a privilege" implies prolonging or expanding an already existing one.