was empowered to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was empowered to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was given the authority or power to take a specific action or make decisions. Example: "The committee was empowered to make changes to the policy after the recent review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Legislature was empowered to choose a successor.

The New Yorker

In aid of these purposes and duties, it was empowered to subpoena witnesses and conduct hearings.

Cornell University

The State Board of Equalization was empowered to determine state income tax rates.

The New York Times

It was empowered to subpoena witnesses and documents and to hear sworn testimony.

The New York Times

The city was empowered to open the Comanche avenue crossing at any time without condemnation or other proceedings.

Cornell University

Elections took place to a representative body, the State Duma, which was empowered to initiate and veto legislative proposals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr Roberts was empowered to heal via TV screens and through prayed-over handkerchiefs sent by the mail.

The Economist

The assembly was empowered to enact ordinances on domestic affairs but was subject to the veto of the military government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was empowered to house, feed, medicate and educate them, in effect maintaining them as a political running sore.

The New York Times

It turned out that Chappell & Co. had bought the ir rights from an agent who was empowered to sell.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was empowering to know that.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was empowered to", ensure the context clearly indicates who granted the power and what the limits of that power are.

Common error

Avoid using "was empowered to" when describing inherent abilities or natural talents. This phrase indicates granted authority, not intrinsic capability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was empowered to" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that someone or something received the authority or ability to perform a specific action. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in describing granted permissions and delegated responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0.01%

Science

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was empowered to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that someone or something received the authority to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in formal contexts such as news, academic writing, and business communications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the source and scope of the granted power. Consider alternatives like "was authorized to" or "was permitted to" for nuanced meanings. Be mindful not to use it to describe inherent abilities. With its widespread presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Britannica, mastering the use of "was empowered to" can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was authorized to

Replaces "empowered" with "authorized", focusing on the official permission granted.

was permitted to

Substitutes "empowered" with "permitted", indicating allowance rather than inherent power.

was given the authority to

Emphasizes the act of granting authority, clarifying the source of the empowerment.

had the right to

Focuses on the entitlement or legal claim to perform an action.

was enabled to

Highlights the provision of means or capability to achieve something.

was entitled to

Similar to "had the right to", stressing the justified or rightful claim.

had the capacity to

Focuses on the inherent ability or potential, rather than granted permission.

was commissioned to

Implies a specific task or assignment, with the power to execute it.

was delegated the power to

Emphasizes the transfer of power or responsibility from a higher authority.

was sanctioned to

Indicates official approval or endorsement to proceed with an action.

FAQs

What does "was empowered to" mean?

The phrase "was empowered to" means that someone was given the authority or power to do something. It indicates that this individual or entity had the right or ability to take a specific action.

What are some alternatives to "was empowered to"?

You can use alternatives like "was authorized to", "was permitted to", or "was given the authority to" depending on the context.

How do I use "was empowered to" in a sentence?

To use "was empowered to" effectively, ensure that the sentence clearly indicates who granted the power and what specific actions were authorized. For example: "The committee was empowered to make decisions on budget allocations."

Is it correct to say "is empowered to" instead of "was empowered to"?

Yes, both are correct depending on the context. "Is empowered to" refers to a present or ongoing authorization, while "was empowered to" refers to an authorization in the past. Example: "The committee is empowered to review proposals annually", versus "The committee was empowered to review the proposal last year".