licence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "licence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a permission to do something or to a document that officially gives someone permission to do something. For example: "You need a licence to operate a motor vehicle in this state."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BBC management had "verbal discussions" with BBC Worldwide, agreeing to meet the cost of her departure from the licence fee if she left the commercial division within two years.

The Guardian

Grade was always less convinced of the need or wisdom of the move to Manchester and made little secret of his view that it would be the first casualty of a low licence fee settlement.

The Guardian - Opinion

One issue upon which they stuck fast - Grade apparently threatened to resign over it - was their opposition to "top-slicing" of the BBC licence fee.

The Guardian - Opinion

The idea being that it would receive the licence fee and could in time become a kind of public body funding public broadcasting (or possibly specific programmes) other than on the BBC.

The Guardian - Opinion

The exploration licence encompassed an area including an Obeid property, Cherrydale Farm, which significantly increased in value when the tenement was issued.

The Guardian

Two sons of the former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid are being investigated by the federal competition watchdog over alleged "cartel conduct" in securing a coal exploration licence over an area that included the Obeid family's farm.

The Guardian

Icac concluded in its report that the Obeids had arranged for another mining company vying for the licence to withdraw its application, which it suggested was "arguably illegal" under competition law.

The Guardian

Purnell said the BBC had been forced to cut back on the range of services it offers following the 2010 funding settlement, which froze the licence fee at £145.50 until 2017, including axing original daytime programmes on BBC2, and the decision, yet to be formally submitted to the BBC Trust, to axe the BBC3 TV channel.

The Guardian

This is the latest crisis to hit the hospital, which was put in special measures by the health regulator Monitor last November after data inaccuracies in cancer treatment targets meant it breached its licence to provide health services.

The Guardian

I have on file cases of Britons recently imprisoned for crimes as relatively mild as abusive tweeting, poll-rigging, Boat Race obstructing, cathedral desecrating, job-application falsifying, expenses fiddling, urinatingon a war memorial, speeding-point switching, licence fee non-paying, and googling in court.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have given local areas the power to restrict the sale of alcohol in the early hours and to ensure those who profit from a late-night licence help pay towards the costs of policing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing formal permissions or authorizations, use "licence" to denote the official document or right granted. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what activity or privilege the "licence" pertains to.

Common error

In British English, the noun is spelled "licence", while "license" is the verb. Be mindful of this distinction to avoid errors in formal writing. For example, "You need a driving licence" (noun), but "The government licenses businesses" (verb).

Linguistic Context

The word "licence" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a formal permission to do something or own something. It is often associated with official documents or authorizations, as confirmed by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "licence" is a noun that indicates formal permission or authorization. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. A key point to remember is the spelling difference in British English, where "licence" is the noun and "license" is the verb. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively and accurately use the term "licence" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permit

This term is a direct synonym, often used interchangeably with "licence" to indicate official permission.

authorization

This word emphasizes the act of granting permission, often implying a formal process.

official permission

This phrase expresses the concept of "licence" in a more descriptive and explicit way.

certification

This term suggests a formal recognition of competence or qualification to perform a task.

accreditation

This implies that an official group has recognized the organization or person as meeting set standards.

entitlement

This word highlights the right or condition of being entitled to something.

franchise

This term specifically denotes the right or license granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory.

charter

A charter is a formal document granting rights and privileges, especially to a city or company.

concession

This implies a grant of rights, land, or property by a government or other authority.

warrant

This term signifies official permission or authorization, often in legal contexts.

FAQs

How is "licence" used in the UK?

In the UK, "licence" is primarily used as a noun, referring to a permit or authorization. For example, a "driving licence" or a "TV licence" are common examples. The verb form is "license".

What's the difference between "licence" and "permit"?

"Licence" and "permit" are often used interchangeably, both denoting official permission. However, "licence" often implies a more formal and long-term authorization, whereas "permit" can refer to a temporary or specific authorization.

Is it correct to use "license" instead of "licence"?

The spelling depends on the region. In American English, "license" is used for both the noun and the verb. In British English, "licence" is the noun, and "license" is the verb.

What are some examples of different types of "licence"?

Examples include a "driving licence", which permits you to operate a vehicle; a "broadcasting licence", which allows a company to transmit radio or television programs; and a "software licence", which grants you the right to use a piece of software.