permission was given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "permission was given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has granted approval or consent for an action to take place. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, it is important to confirm that permission was given by the relevant authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is unclear whether permission was given.

The New York Times

Such permission was given for the breathing study at Johns Hopkins on Sept. 18.

The New York Times

After some frantic telegrams permission was given and the book was published.

The New Yorker

Earlier this year planning permission was given to double the capacity of Yarl's Wood.

Independent

When assured in the affirmative, permission was given to invite Laski to UCLA.

University of California, Berkeley

Permission was given for one of them to dress in acolyte's robes & stand close to his camera.

The New Yorker

"Permission was given for the Top Gear car to drive down Whitehall before moving to another location," said the spokeswoman.

The Guardian

The permission was given, and a police official said "people are coming out everywhere". Tight security by troops was enforced at the funeral site.

The New York Times

Permission was given for a three-year conversion, after which the commission will decide whether to allow the owners to continue using the theater as a nightclub.

The New York Times

The home minister claimed that Udwin had flouted the conditions under which permission was given to interview Mukesh Singh in jail.

The Guardian

Despite repeated scandals – and the damning findings of this report – planning permission was given last month to double the centre's capacity from 405 places to nearly 900.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the importance of the permission, you can add more details about who was involved or what the consequences would have been without it.

Common error

Avoid using "permission was given" without specifying who granted the permission. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "permission was given" functions as a passive construction, indicating that authorization has been granted. It is commonly used to convey that someone received the go-ahead to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

32%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "permission was given" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates authorization for an action. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals that it's most commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, carrying a neutral to formal tone. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify who granted the permission. While alternatives like "authorization was granted" and "consent was provided" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. Overall, "permission was given" is a versatile phrase for conveying that approval has been officially granted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorization was granted

Emphasizes the formal granting of permission, often by an authority.

consent was provided

Highlights the act of agreement or approval being given.

approval was obtained

Focuses on the process of getting permission.

clearance was given

Suggests a removal of obstacles or barriers, implying permission.

the go-ahead was received

An informal way of saying permission to proceed was granted.

the green light was given

Similar to "the go-ahead", implying permission to start something.

leave was granted

Specifically refers to permission to be absent or to do something out of the norm.

sanction was given

Implies formal approval, often in legal or official contexts.

license was issued

Indicates official permission for a specific activity, often regulated.

assent was given

Highlights the act of agreeing or concurring with something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "permission was given" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "authorization was granted", "consent was provided", or "approval was obtained". These alternatives often suit official documents or academic writing.

What's the difference between "consent was given" and "permission was given"?

"Consent was given" typically implies voluntary agreement, often in medical or legal contexts, whereas "permission was given" is a broader term indicating authorization for an action.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing permission?

Using the active voice (e.g., "The committee gave permission") can be more direct and clear than the passive voice ("permission was given"). However, the passive voice may be preferred when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

What are some informal alternatives to "permission was given"?

Informal alternatives include "the "go-ahead was given"" or "the "green light was given"", which suggest an informal approval to proceed.