it was permitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was permitted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was allowed or authorized in the past. Example: "The use of mobile phones was permitted during the break, allowing students to communicate with their families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She has further stated that "it was permitted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its congregations may have shrunk and its culture stagnated, but it was permitted a place and a role of its own both in the Ottoman Empire and in the nation states that succeeded it.

Independent

Although stripped of dependencies, it was permitted to retain its status as a free city in recognition of past services.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nevertheless, it was permitted to republish its newspaper and re-establish and expand its paramilitary wing, the, which had been banned before the war.

Wikipedia

What I believe happened to Wall Street is that it became a victim of its worst excesses and enjoyed such power as a result of its wealth and political influence that it was permitted to expand beyond all reason and common sense.

Forbes

Blackwater says it was permitted to carry CS gas under its contract at the time with the State Department.

The New York Times

Such being the state of the country, a party coming out in a Hudson's Bay ship was looked upon with suspicion by the members of the rival company, and it was mainly through Franklin's prudent conduct and conciliating manners that it was permitted to proceed; but sufficient aid to ensure its safety was not afforded by either of the contending bodies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was permitted to lend to more institutions and take more types of collateral.

The Economist

Barrick officials indicated they would shut the pumps as soon as it was permitted.

The New York Times

But he also does not accept the assertion that they did it "because it was permitted.

The New York Times - Books

In the meantime, it was permitted to deposit 60percentt of the financing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was permitted", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what granted the permission, enhancing clarity and avoiding ambiguity. For example, "It was permitted by the council".

Common error

Avoid using "it was permitted" without specifying the entity granting permission. This can lead to confusion about who authorized the action. Instead of saying "It was permitted", specify who did the permitting: "The manager permitted the change".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was permitted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action or state was allowed by some unspecified agent. As evidenced by Ludwig, its usage spans across various domains, denoting authorization or lack of prohibition in diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was permitted" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate that something was allowed or authorized in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for various writing contexts, from formal to neutral, and across diverse fields like news, encyclopedias, and science. While versatile, clarity is key: ensure the subject granting permission is clear. Alternatives like "it was allowed" or "permission was granted" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was allowed

Direct synonym, replaces "permitted" with "allowed" for a slightly more informal tone.

it was authorized

Replaces "permitted" with "authorized", suggesting a more formal or official allowance.

it was sanctioned

Implies official approval or endorsement, slightly stronger than "permitted".

it was given leave

More formal phrasing, suggesting that permission was granted.

authorization was granted

Changes the structure to emphasize the act of granting authorization.

permission was given

Focuses on permission being given, rather than the action being permitted.

they were permitted

Changes the subject, but maintains the passive voice and the core meaning of permission.

it had the green light

An idiomatic expression indicating approval to proceed.

it was acceptable

Indicates that something was considered suitable or tolerable.

it was in accordance with the rules

Indicates that an action or process was in compliance with established guidelines.

FAQs

How can I use "it was permitted" in a sentence?

Use "it was permitted" to indicate that an action or activity was allowed at a specific time in the past. For example, "In the past, "smoking was permitted" in restaurants, but now it is banned".

What are some alternatives to "it was permitted"?

Alternatives include "it was allowed", "it was authorized", or "permission was granted", depending on the context.

Is "it was permitted" formal or informal?

"It was permitted" is generally considered neutral to formal. The formality can also depend on the source of the permission. If a formal authority, such as a government, grants permission, then it will be more formal.

What's the difference between "it was permitted" and "it was required"?

"It was permitted" means something was allowed but not mandatory, while "it was required" means something was necessary or mandatory. They have opposite meanings.