have a licence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a licence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to possessing official permission to do something, such as driving, practicing a profession, or carrying out specific activities. Example: "To operate a vehicle legally, you must have a licence issued by the appropriate authority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All research should have a licence attached.

The Guardian

Secret agent 007 might have a licence to kill.

Independent

So simple that it does not have a licence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I have a licence for that," she said quickly.

The Guardian - Books

Do you have a licence to use your legs?

The Guardian - Opinion

So simple that it doesn't have a licence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As for the visitors – well, they have a licence to chill.

Independent

Mr Santiago reportedly does not have a licence to own the gun.

Independent

It is illegal to consume it elsewhere, unless you live in Dubai and have a licence.

The Economist

Combine these with democracy and countries have a licence to abuse foreign creditors.

The Economist

People must have a licence to own guns, and the licence requires background checks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, specify the type of "licence" and the issuing authority to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Remember that "licence" is the British English spelling (noun), while "license" is the American English spelling and also a verb in both British and American English. Ensure you are using the correct spelling according to your target audience and grammatical role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a licence" functions as a verb phrase indicating possession of a document or authorization that grants permission to perform a specific activity. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from driving to owning firearms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have a licence" is a common and grammatically correct way to express possession of an official authorization or permit, as Ludwig AI confirms. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it serves the purpose of conveying legal permission for specific activities. When using the phrase, specify the type of "licence" for clarity and choose the correct spelling ("licence" in British English as a noun, "license" in American English and as a verb). Consider alternatives like "possess a permit" or "hold a license" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possess a permit

Replaces "licence" with "permit" while retaining the meaning of having official permission.

hold a license

Uses "hold" instead of "have", which is a common synonym in this context.

have authorization

Replaces "licence" with "authorization", emphasizing permission.

be authorized

Shifts from possessing a document to the state of being permitted.

be certified

Emphasizes formal certification rather than a general licence.

be entitled

Focuses on the right or privilege granted, rather than the document itself.

have clearance

Suggests a formal approval, often for specific purposes or access.

be accredited

Focuses on formal recognition and approval by an authority.

be allowed

A more general way of saying permission has been granted.

possess credentials

Implies having the necessary qualifications or documents.

FAQs

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

You can use "have a licence" to indicate possessing official permission to do something. For example, "To drive a car, you must "have a licence"".

What are some alternatives to saying "have a licence"?

You can use alternatives such as "possess a permit", "hold a license", or "be authorized depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "have a license" instead of "have a licence"?

"License" is the American English spelling of the noun and the verb in both British and American English, while "licence" is the British English spelling of the noun. Therefore, "have a license" is correct in American English when used as a noun.

What's the difference between "have a licence" and "be licensed"?

"Have a licence" indicates possession of the document, while "be licensed" describes the state of being authorized. For example, "You "have a licence" to drive," means you possess the physical document; "You are licensed to drive," means you have the authority.