permitted to leave

USAGE SUMMARY

"permitted to leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when talking about someone being allowed or given permission to go somewhere or do something. Example: The students were permitted to leave the classroom early for the field trip. In this example, "permitted to leave" indicates that the students were given permission to leave the classroom before the usual dismissal time in order to go on the field trip.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are not permitted to leave Manus.

The Guardian

The plane was permitted to leave on Thursday, but Russia and Syria protested the Turkish actions.

The New York Times

Mr. Fischer was permitted to leave after he produced his driver's license.

The New York Times

She was allowed lovers, but never permitted to leave her father's compound or to wed.

The New York Times

No test taker is permitted to leave the testing center with a test booklet.

Harvard University

He said he was not permitted to leave the camp to take her to the hospital.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nothing is permitted to leave the labs without being disinfected, even eyeglasses.

The New York Times

Unable to work as a filmmaker, Mr. Nemec was permitted to leave Czechoslovakia in 1974.

The New York Times

But she said she could not stand it and was permitted to leave after two hours.

The New York Times

The kids most likely to make it big weren't just permitted to leave — they were pushed.

The New Yorker

The questioning began at 5.45pm and ended shortly before 6.30pm and Elosta was permitted to leave.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "permitted to leave" when you want to emphasize that someone has been explicitly granted permission or authorization to depart. For example, "The prisoners were not permitted to leave their cells after curfew."

Common error

While "allowed to leave" is similar, "permitted to leave" carries a slightly more formal connotation, implying official consent. Avoid using "permitted" in very informal contexts where "allowed" would be more appropriate. For example, instead of "My friend was not permitted to leave the party early", consider "My friend was not allowed to leave the party early."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "permitted to leave" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone has been granted authorization or consent to depart from a particular place or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

13%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "permitted to leave" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate that someone has been granted permission or authorization to depart. According to Ludwig AI, it is used correctly and frequently. While "allowed to leave" is a similar and often interchangeable alternative, "permitted to leave" carries a slightly more formal tone. This phrase is frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and general discourse. When writing, remember to consider the context and choose the phrasing that best conveys the intended level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allowed to go

Simple and direct alternative focusing on the granting of permission.

free to go

Emphasizes the state of being unconstrained and able to depart.

authorized to depart

Formal synonym emphasizing official approval for departure.

granted permission to exit

Similar to "given leave to exit" but more general; emphasizes the granting of permission.

at liberty to leave

More formal and emphasizes the freedom and right to depart.

cleared to depart

Suggests an official clearance or authorization process.

given leave to exit

Highlights the granting of formal permission or leave to depart or exit.

discharged to leave

Often used in contexts like hospitals or military, indicating release and permission to go.

entitled to leave

Highlights the right or entitlement to depart, often based on a rule or agreement.

sanctioned to exit

Suggests a formal approval to leave a place or position.

FAQs

How can I use "permitted to leave" in a sentence?

"Permitted to leave" is used to indicate that someone has been granted permission to depart. For example, "The students were "permitted to leave" the classroom early." or "He was not "permitted to leave" the country until the investigation was complete."

What is a more informal way to say "permitted to leave"?

A more informal alternative to "permitted to leave" is "allowed to leave". While both phrases convey the same basic meaning, "allowed" is generally used in less formal contexts.

Is there a difference between "permitted to leave" and "required to leave"?

Yes, "permitted to leave" means someone has been granted permission to depart, while "required to leave" means someone is obligated or forced to depart. They have opposite meanings.

What are some other phrases similar to "permitted to leave"?

Other phrases with similar meanings include "authorized to depart", "given leave to exit", and "granted permission to exit". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.