they were granted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were granted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone receiving permission, rights, or privileges from an authority or governing body. Example: "After a thorough review of their application, they were granted access to the restricted area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the talks.

The New York Times

They were granted the legal right to receive German citizenship upon arrival [ 13].

European Journal of Epidemiology

They were granted asylum last year.

The New York Times

They were granted 24-hour protection.

The Guardian

They were granted political asylum by Cambodia.

The New York Times

"Yes, they were granted the mortgage".

The New York Times

They were granted independence by the French in 1960.

The New Yorker

They were granted asylum and moved to Minnesota.

The Washington Post

Fortunately, they were granted bail, and the wedding went ahead.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We didn't know that they would do that before they were granted tenure.

The Washington Post

Instead, they were granted both the routes on temporary basis.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were granted" when you want to emphasize the act of bestowing something by an authority or governing body. This phrasing highlights the source of the permission or right.

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun "they" correctly refers to a plural subject. Avoid using "they were granted" when referring to a singular entity; instead, use "he/she/it was granted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were granted" functions as a passive construction indicating the reception of something (e.g., permission, right, status) by a plural subject. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's use in conveying official or formal bestowal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were granted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correctness and demonstrates its prevalence in sources like the The New York Times, The Guardian, and academic publications. It is most commonly used in news and media contexts to indicate that a group has received something officially. Remember to maintain subject-verb agreement and consider context when using alternatives such as "they received" or "they were given".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they received

Focuses on the act of receiving, omitting the implicit authority.

they were authorized

Specifically refers to receiving official permission.

they were given

Emphasizes the act of giving, with a less formal tone.

they were permitted

Similar to authorized, but can imply a lower level of formality.

they were awarded

Highlights merit or achievement in receiving something.

they were allowed

Focuses on the absence of prohibition rather than active bestowal.

they obtained

Implies effort or action on their part to acquire something.

they secured

Suggests a competitive or challenging process to get something.

they gained

Implies an increase in something possessed, not necessarily a direct gift.

they inherited

Suggests the receipt of something through familial or historical succession.

FAQs

How can I use "they were granted" in a sentence?

The phrase "they were granted" is used to indicate that a group of people received something, such as permission, asylum, or rights. For example: "They were granted asylum" or "They were granted permission to speak anonymously".

What is a good substitute for "they were granted"?

Depending on the specific context, alternatives to "they were granted" include "they received", "they were given", or "they were awarded".

Is it correct to say "they was granted"?

No, "they was granted" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "they were granted" because "they" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb "to be".

What does it mean when someone says "they were granted anonymity"?

When someone says "they were granted anonymity", it means that a group of people were given the condition of not being named or identified, often to protect their safety or confidentiality.