if permits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if permits" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "if permitted" or "if it permits." Example: "We will proceed with the project if permitted by the budget constraints."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

At the moment, if permits are granted, Cape Wind can move forward.

The New York Times - Books

If permits are denied, the partnership will look for another use for the property, Mr. Betts said.

The New York Times

If permits are required for two projects that are not considered to be compatible, the authorities will be forced to decide which one has prevalence.

Resources Policy

If permits were issued on a simple per capita basis, the consequence would be a huge transfer of resources from rich to poor countries, though preventing benefits simply being absorbed by elites in the latter is a difficult issue.

The Guardian - Books

If permits are approved, the plant, operated by SCS Energy, based in Concord, MA, will pump its carbon dioxide pollution into sandstone located almost two miles beneath the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.

MIT Technology Review

The Texas refinery giant Tesoro and the oil services company Savage have announced a joint venture to build a $100 million, 42-acre oil-handling plant in the Port of Vancouver on the Columbia River that could handle 380,000 barrels of oil each day if permits are granted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Tells what may be found if permitted to enter.

The New Yorker

I'd probably cycle to those too if permitted, and if it wasn't slightly dangerous.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And then sticking in a load of the "would flower forever if permitted" lot.

Independent

Patients are initially offered a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, if permitted by their medical history.

Independent

If permitted foreign travel, the US judged, Slahi will probably "promote his book Guantánamo Diary" globally.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the grammatically correct form: "if permits are granted", "if a permit is required", or similar variations depending on the context. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "if permits" as it omits the necessary auxiliary verb. Remember to include the verb "are" (or "is" if referring to a singular permit) to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if permits" functions as a conjunction introducing a conditional clause. However, it's grammatically incomplete, as Ludwig AI indicates, missing the necessary auxiliary verb to form a proper conditional statement. The correct form requires additional words like "are granted" or "are required".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "if permits" is often used to express a conditional dependency on obtaining official permissions, but it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, it requires an auxiliary verb to be complete. The correct forms, such as "if permits are granted" or "if a permit is required", are essential for clear and professional communication. While frequently found across news, science, and academic contexts, remember to prioritize grammatical accuracy to maintain credibility. Always opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "if permission is granted" or "subject to permit approval" to ensure your writing is both clear and correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if permission is granted

Formalizes the condition by explicitly stating that permission must be given.

if authorization is given

Similar to 'if permission is granted' but uses 'authorization' which implies official approval.

should permits be granted

Inverts the sentence structure for a more formal or legalistic tone.

once permits are approved

Focuses on the action of permits being approved as the trigger for an event.

if permits are obtained

Emphasizes the acquisition of permits as a necessary condition.

provided that permits are issued

Uses 'provided that' to introduce a condition related to the issuance of permits.

assuming permits are in hand

Expresses a condition based on the assumption that permits have already been secured.

subject to permit approval

Shortens the phrase, making it suitable for headings or concise descriptions.

contingent on permits being approved

Highlights the dependency on permits for further action.

depending on permit issuance

Similar to 'contingent on' but emphasizes the act of issuing the permit.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "if permits"?

The grammatically correct phrasing is "if permits are granted" or "if a permit is required". The original phrasing, "if permits", is missing the necessary auxiliary verb.

Can I use "if permits" in formal writing?

No, "if permits" is grammatically incorrect and unsuitable for formal writing. Use "if permission is granted" or "provided that permits are issued" instead.

What are some alternatives to "if permits are granted"?

Alternatives include "subject to permit approval", "contingent on permits being approved", or simply "if permitted" depending on the context.

How does the meaning change when using "if permits are granted" versus "if permitted"?

"If permits are granted" explicitly refers to the act of granting permits, while "if permitted" is a more general statement about whether something is allowed. The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of detail.