have been allowed

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been allowed' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to express that something has previously been given permission or authorization. For example: We have been allowed to stay late for the party tonight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Development should never have been allowed.

The Economist

They should have been allowed two.

The New York Times - Sports

Four patients have been allowed home.

Independent

It shouldn't have been allowed.

The Guardian - Music

"They shouldn't have been allowed.

The Guardian - Arts

They wouldn't have been allowed in either.

Independent

Residents have been allowed to return.

The New York Times

Bad practices have been allowed to solidify.

The Guardian - Sport

But almost no exports have been allowed.

The New York Times

You wouldn't have been allowed to move".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No women have been allowed to stand.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been allowed" when you want to indicate that permission or authorization was granted at some point in the past and the effects may still be relevant. For example: "Residents have been allowed to return after the fire."

Common error

Avoid using "have been allowed" when referring to something that is currently being allowed or will be allowed in the future. Instead, use "are allowed" or "will be allowed" to maintain correct tense. For example: "Students are allowed to use the library until 10 PM", not "Students have been allowed to use the library until 10 PM".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been allowed" functions primarily as a passive construction indicating that someone or something has received permission or authorization. This usage is supported by Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been allowed" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has been permitted or authorized in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media. When writing, be mindful of the tense; this phrase denotes a past action with continuing relevance, not a present or future permission. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "have been permitted" or "have been authorized". Remember that using this phrase precisely can enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been permitted

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted", maintaining the same core meaning of granting authorization.

have been authorized

Substitutes "allowed" with "authorized", suggesting a more formal or official approval.

have been granted permission

Expands the phrase to explicitly include "permission", emphasizing the act of giving authorization.

have received authorization

Shifts the focus to the recipient of the authorization, highlighting their acquisition of permission.

were given leave

Uses "leave" to denote permission, often in a more formal or bureaucratic context.

were given the go-ahead

Employs a more informal idiom to indicate that permission has been granted to proceed.

have been cleared

Implies that obstacles or restrictions have been removed, allowing something to proceed.

have had the green light

Uses a common metaphor to indicate permission to proceed, often in business or project management contexts.

have been sanctioned

Suggests a formal or official approval, often by an authority or governing body.

were entitled

Indicates that someone had a right or claim that made them allowed.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have been allowed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can substitute "have been allowed" with phrases like "have been permitted", "have been authorized", or "have been granted permission".

Is there a difference between "have been allowed" and "have been permitted"?

While both phrases are similar, "have been allowed" is generally more common and can be used in a wider range of contexts. "Have been permitted" often suggests a more formal or official authorization.

When should I use "have been allowed" versus "were allowed"?

"Have been allowed" implies a state that started in the past and continues to be relevant. "Were allowed" refers to a specific instance or period in the past when permission was granted, but doesn't necessarily imply ongoing relevance. For example, "They have been allowed to express themselves" implies that they can express themselves until now, and "They were allowed to express themselves" is used to indicate that there was permission at some point.

What are some common mistakes people make when using "have been allowed"?

A common error is using "have been allowed" interchangeably with present or future tenses. Remember that "have been allowed" refers to a past action with continuing relevance, and not to what is currently allowed or will be allowed.