permitted to act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "permitted to act" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's authorization or allowance to perform a specific action or duty. Example: "The committee has decided that all members are permitted to act on behalf of the organization during the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

While there, he tired of endless westerns and was permitted to act elsewhere.

The Guardian

Not being as respectable as our corporate counterparts, we are not permitted to act with seeming impunity.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The ordinary man believes he is free when he is permitted to act arbitrarily, but in this very arbitrariness lies the fact that he is unfree," Hegel wrote.

The New Yorker

Authority asking that his brother be permitted to act as his proxy in making the first passage through the Lincoln Tunnel.

The New Yorker

The real error of the court's federalism decisions is that "the states are permitted to act unjustly" behind the shield of sovereign immunity.

The New York Times - Books

If their cries are not heard, if non-democratic regimes are permitted to act toward them with impunity, then dissidents will have little influence and few followers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Two main strategies permit to act dishonestly without affecting the positive concept of self.

Plosone

Although Syria has permitted Lebanon to act as its devil's advocate, Syrian officials have also tried hard to portray themselves as cooperative with the United Nations.

The New York Times

We feel betrayed because Tiger did not act as we, the shareholders, permitted him to act.

Huffington Post

She was only permitted to repeat her act on behalf of the African-American troops the following day, in a separate black mess hall.

The Guardian - Music

"I always ask them if they will permit me to act on their behalf," German says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "permitted to act" when you want to emphasize that someone has been specifically granted the authority or allowance to do something. For example, in legal or formal contexts, this phrase can clearly establish the boundaries of allowed actions.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice when using "permitted to act". Active voice often makes your writing more direct and engaging. Instead of "he was permitted to act", consider "he was allowed to act".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "permitted to act" functions as a verbal phrase indicating authorization or allowance to perform a specific action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its versatility across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "permitted to act" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that indicates authorization or allowance to perform an action. As verified by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific sources, suggesting a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "authorized to take action" or "allowed to proceed" exist, "permitted to act" clearly communicates the granting of permission. When employing this phrase, writers should avoid overuse of the passive voice to ensure clarity and directness in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorized to take action

Emphasizes the official authorization to perform an action.

given permission to proceed

Highlights the aspect of granting permission before continuing.

allowed to proceed

Focuses on the continuation of an action with approval.

empowered to act

Focuses on the delegation of power or authority to act.

given leave to act

Highlights the granting of permission to act.

entitled to perform

Stresses the right or entitlement to carry out an action.

free to exercise

Emphasizes the freedom and lack of constraint in performing an action.

has the green light to act

An idiomatic expression indicating approval to start or continue an action.

sanctioned to operate

Implies a formal endorsement or approval for operation.

licensed to operate

Implies a formal license or certification is in place.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "permitted to act" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, you can replace "permitted to act" with alternatives such as "authorized to take action", or "given leave to act", which convey a similar meaning with a heightened sense of formality.

What are some less formal alternatives to "permitted to act"?

For less formal situations, consider using phrases like "allowed to proceed", or "free to exercise", which offer a more relaxed tone while still conveying the idea of allowance or authorization.

Is there a difference between "permitted to act" and "empowered to act"?

"Permitted to act" suggests that someone has been given permission to perform an action, while "empowered to act" implies that someone has been given both the permission and the resources or authority necessary to take effective action. Empowerment often suggests a greater degree of autonomy and control.

How to use "permitted to act" in a sentence?

You can use "permitted to act" to show that someone has the authorization to do something. For instance, "The supervisor permitted the intern to act on behalf of the company at the meeting" shows that the intern had the approval to represent the company.