she was allowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "She was allowed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing that someone was given permission or privilege to do something. For example, "She was allowed to leave the classroom early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was allowed to do this.

The New Yorker

She was allowed back in.

The Guardian

Because she was ill she was allowed to stay.

Independent

She was allowed to return home late Tuesday.

The New York Times

Afterward she was allowed to return to Medina.

Britannica

Basically, she was allowed in our room and the lobby.

The New York Times - Travel

Her run was halted and she was allowed a restart.

The Guardian - Sport

She was allowed no physical contact with her family.

The New York Times

She was allowed to call her mother once a day.

The Guardian

She was allowed only two visitors: her elderly mother and her 3-year-old daughter.

Harvard University

She was allowed back under the condition she serve as a TA.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was allowed" to clearly indicate that someone received permission or was granted the opportunity to perform an action. This construction is particularly useful when specifying the source of permission isn't essential.

Common error

Avoid using "allowed" interchangeably with verbs like "made" or "forced". "Allowed" implies permission, while "made" or "forced" suggests compulsion. Incorrect: She was made to leave early because she was allowed. Correct: She was allowed to leave early because she felt ill.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was allowed" functions as a passive construction indicating that permission or authorization was granted to a female subject. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing situations where someone received consent or the opportunity to act. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a valid English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was allowed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate that a female subject received permission or had the opportunity to do something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, though it is most commonly found in news and media. Remember to use "allowed" to indicate permission, distinguishing it from verbs that imply compulsion or obligation. By understanding its nuances and considering the suggested best practices, you can effectively incorporate "she was allowed" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she had permission

Emphasizes formal consent or authorization granted to her.

she was permitted

Highlights that she was officially given the go-ahead to do something.

she was authorized

Indicates that she received the official power or right to do something.

she was entitled

Suggests she had a legitimate claim or right to do something.

she could

Indicates possibility or capability, implying that no restrictions prevented her from doing something.

it was permissible for her

Focuses on the acceptability or lawfulness of her actions.

she had the option

Highlights that she was given a choice or opportunity.

she was in a position

Implies the circumstances enabled her to perform a particular action.

she had the opportunity

Focuses on her chance or occasion to do something.

she was capable

Highlights the fact that she was able to do something because she possessed the necessary means, skill or ability

FAQs

How can I use "she was allowed" in a sentence?

Use "she was allowed" to show that someone received permission or had the opportunity to do something. For example, "She was allowed to bring a guest to the party" indicates permission was granted.

What are some alternatives to saying "she was allowed"?

You can use phrases like "she was permitted", "she had permission", or "it was permissible for her" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "she was allow" instead of "she was allowed"?

No, "she was allow" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "she was allowed", which uses the past participle "allowed" with the auxiliary verb "was".

What's the difference between "she was allowed" and "she had to"?

"She was allowed" indicates permission or opportunity, whereas "she had to" implies obligation or necessity. "She was allowed to leave" suggests she had permission, while "she had to leave" suggests she was required to.