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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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licensed to have

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "licensed to have" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where permission or authorization is granted to possess or engage in something. Example: "As a certified professional, I am licensed to have access to sensitive information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Writers are licensed to have society's dreams and nightmares.

Ms. AbuSulayman could not use her father's office either, since it was not licensed to have women employees under Saudi Arabia's gender segregation rules.

News & Media

The New York Times

It is accused of, but strongly denies, racist motives.Mr Lykken has played into the critics' hands by arguing that women should be licensed to have children and that children produced by unlicensed breeders should be compulsorily adopted.

News & Media

The Economist

The police have no way of immediately determining whether an armed person is legally licensed to have that weapon — thus the paradox of summoning police to respond to reports of men bearing firearms in Louisiana, where Sterling died, or in Arizona, where Shaver died, both of which are open-carry states.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Event spokeswoman Alisha Dixon said the company received a notice on Thursday the Oakland Police Department stating that they are not licensed to have a medical marijuana business in the city and don't have the proper permits for this event.

News & Media

Huffington Post

The different chains are licensed to have different products in stock.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr. Kitt took this looseness as license to have fun.

"But showing your driver's license to have an honest election is not unreasonable".

News & Media

The New York Times

It's as though Tewksbury gave everybody a license to have integrity".

It gives me license to have her do those things I would never do myself".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Why not give each other license to have a guilt-free, no-questions-asked extramarital one-night stand?

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or regulatory compliance, use "licensed to have" to clearly indicate that official permission has been granted. For instance: "The company is "licensed to have" access to the client's confidential data for audit purposes only."

Common error

Avoid using "licensed to have" interchangeably with phrases like "having a license". "Licensed to have" implies permission to possess or access something, while "having a license" simply indicates possession of a credential. Incorrect: "He is having a license to access the restricted area." Correct: "He is "licensed to have" access to the restricted area."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "licensed to have" functions as a verb phrase indicating legal permission or authorization to possess or access something. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically sound and usable in written English. It is often used in contexts relating to regulations and official permissions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "licensed to have" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate official permission or authorization to possess, access, or utilize something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in English. It appears most commonly in news and media and scientific contexts, reflecting its use in discussing regulatory and legal permissions. While alternatives like "authorized to possess" and "permitted to own" exist, "licensed to have" specifically denotes a formal licensing process. When using this phrase, it’s essential to ensure that it accurately conveys the presence of an official, licensed authorization.

FAQs

How can I use "licensed to have" in a sentence?

You can use "licensed to have" to indicate that someone or something has the official permission to possess, access, or perform a certain action. For example: "The company is "licensed to have" a medical marijuana business in the city." This means that they have obtained the necessary permits and approval to operate such a business.

What's the difference between "authorized to have" and "licensed to have"?

"Authorized to have" generally implies a broader sense of permission or approval, whereas "licensed to have" specifically suggests that the permission is granted through a formal licensing process. For example, someone might be "authorized to have" access to a building, but needs to be "licensed to have" a firearm.

What are some alternatives to "licensed to have"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "permitted to possess", "certified to keep", or "authorized to possess". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "licensed to have" in informal conversation?

While "licensed to have" is grammatically correct, it often carries a formal or legal connotation. In informal conversation, it might be more natural to use phrases like "allowed to have" or "permitted to have" unless you're specifically referring to a licensed activity.

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Source & Trust

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Most frequent sentences: