she was permitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was permitted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone was given permission to do something in the past. Example: "She was permitted to enter the restricted area after showing her identification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

She was permitted back on the network days later.

Independent

She was permitted to withdraw from the race.

The Guardian

Eventually, she was permitted to watch the speech.

The New York Times

After being sworn in, she was permitted to address her new colleagues for one minute.

The New Yorker

It was two years before she was permitted to serve her sushi to customers.

The New York Times - Food

Surprisingly, she was permitted to intervene in his questioning, and repeatedly accused him of treacherous cruelty.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

She is permitted to take one suitcase.

The Guardian - Books

She is permitted to move freely around the compound of her house," the general said.

The Economist

Only in 2006 did she request that she be permitted to wear the headscarf.

The Washington Post

And when she is permitted to speak with journalists or campaigners, officials from the hospital and a plainclothes policeman often sit in.

Independent

She is permitted out of her home for 48 hours a week to work and for religious services, food shopping and doctors' appointments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was permitted", ensure the context clearly indicates who granted the permission and under what authority. This provides clarity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "she were permitted". The correct form is "she was permitted" because "she" is a singular subject and requires the singular verb form "was".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was permitted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received authorization or permission to perform an action. As noted by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and widely usable. It highlights the act of granting permission rather than the actor performing it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was permitted" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that someone received authorization to do something. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a commonly used passive construction that appears frequently in news, academic, and general writing. While "she was allowed" is a more direct synonym, "she was permitted" maintains a neutral tone appropriate for various contexts. Remember to use the correct verb form ("was" for singular subjects) and ensure the context clearly identifies the source of permission for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was allowed

A more direct and common synonym for being permitted.

she was authorized

Highlights the act of being officially sanctioned or empowered.

she had authorization

Focuses on possessing the authority rather than receiving permission.

she was given leave

Implies a formal granting of permission, often in professional or military contexts.

she was cleared

Suggests that she passed necessary checks or gained approval.

she could

A simpler way of saying she had the ability or permission.

she had the go-ahead

Suggests informal approval or clearance to proceed.

she was sanctioned

Emphasizes official approval, sometimes by a governing body.

she was empowered

Focuses on granting power or capacity to act.

she was entitled

Implies a right or justified expectation rather than a granted permission.

FAQs

What does "she was permitted" mean?

The phrase "she was permitted" means that someone gave her authorization or allowance to do something. It indicates that she had permission to perform a specific action or enter a particular place.

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

You can use "she was permitted" to describe a past event where someone received authorization. For example, "she was permitted to leave early after completing her tasks".

What are some alternatives to "she was permitted"?

Alternatives include "she was allowed", "she was authorized", or "she had permission". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "she was permitted" formal or informal?

"She was permitted" is relatively neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, "she was allowed" is slightly more informal, while "she was authorized" leans towards formality.