they were allowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were allowed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that permission was granted to a group of people to do something. Example: "After a long discussion, they were allowed to proceed with their project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They were allowed to keep their badges.

The New York Times

They were allowed one book to share.

The New York Times

They were allowed to air grievances.

The New Yorker

Instead they were allowed to die "beautifully".

Independent

They were allowed to warm up naturally.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were allowed recreation, he said.

The Guardian

They were allowed occasional visits to Russia.

The New York Times

They were allowed to bear arms.

The Guardian - Opinion

And they were allowed to do that".

The Guardian

They were allowed to seize it.

The Guardian - Sport

Actually, that's all they were allowed to talk about.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, be specific about the action or activity that was permitted to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "allowed" to do something implies endorsement or approval. It simply means permission was granted, not necessarily that the action is encouraged or supported.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were allowed" functions as a passive construction indicating that a group received permission to perform an action. Ludwig AI examples show its usage in diverse contexts, confirming its role in conveying granted permission.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

45%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were allowed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction indicating that a group received permission to perform an action. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To enhance clarity, be specific about who granted permission and what actions were permitted. Alternatives like "they were permitted" and "they were authorized" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Avoid assuming endorsement when stating permission; simply convey the granting of authorization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were permitted

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted", a synonym that also implies formal permission.

they were authorized

Substitutes "allowed" with "authorized", suggesting official approval or sanction.

they had permission

Changes the verb from "were allowed" to "had permission", altering the sentence structure while maintaining the same core meaning.

they were given leave

Replaces "allowed" with "given leave", implying a more formal or official grant of permission.

they were entitled

Implies a right or expectation to do something, rather than just permission.

they were enabled

Suggests that they were provided with the means or opportunity to do something.

they were empowered

Indicates that they were given the authority or power to do something.

they could

Offers a simpler way to express permission or possibility.

it was permissible for them

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the permissibility of their actions.

they were not prohibited

Expresses permission by stating the absence of a prohibition, implying indirect allowance.

FAQs

What does "they were allowed" mean?

The phrase "they were allowed" means that a group of people were given permission or authorization to do something.

What can I say instead of "they were allowed"?

You can use alternatives like "they were permitted", "they were authorized", or "they had permission" depending on the context.

Is "they were allowed to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were allowed to" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of a passive voice construction indicating permission.

What's the difference between "they were allowed" and "they were enabled"?

"They were allowed" implies permission, while "they were enabled" suggests that they were provided with the means or opportunity to do something. Permission focuses on authorization, enablement focuses on capability.