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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
licensed to have
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(3)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
6 human-written examples
Writers are licensed to have society's dreams and nightmares.
News & Media
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
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 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
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
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.
News & Media
"But showing your driver's license to have an honest election is not unreasonable".
News & Media
It's as though Tewksbury gave everybody a license to have integrity".
News & Media
It gives me license to have her do those things I would never do myself".
News & Media
Why not give each other license to have a guilt-free, no-questions-asked extramarital one-night stand?
News & Media
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."
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
authorized to possess
Emphasizes the legal or official approval to own or control something. It focuses on the act of possessing rather than the act of having.
permitted to own
Highlights the allowance or consent to have something. The focus is on granting permission.
certified to keep
Indicates an official certification that allows someone to maintain possession of something. It stresses the validation aspect.
entitled to hold
Focuses on the right or qualification to have something. It suggests a formal entitlement.
empowered to utilize
Suggests having the authority or power to use something. It implies a formal delegation of power.
given permission to retain
Highlights the act of being granted permission to keep something. It specifies the allowance to retain.
approved to maintain
Indicates that something has been officially approved for someone to maintain. It emphasizes the approval process.
sanctioned to operate
Suggests an official sanction or endorsement to use or run something. It implies a formal approval for operation.
chartered to manage
Indicates that someone has been chartered or authorized to manage something. It implies a formal charter or authorization.
delegated authority to control
Emphasizes the delegation of authority to control something. It highlights the transfer of power.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested