was entitled to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was entitled to" is correct and appropriate for use in written English.
For example, "After working hard for 40 years, he was entitled to enjoy his retirement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was entitled to a better response.

Independent

Messi was entitled to something for himself.

The New York Times - Sports

"Like I was entitled to that".

The New York Times

Salimikordasiabi was entitled to two more attempts.

The New York Times - Sports

Rodgers was entitled to jubilation afterwards.

Independent

She was entitled to gloat.

The New York Times

He was entitled to wear the Distinguished Unit Citation.

The New York Times

Gould was entitled to roll his eyes.

The Guardian - Sport

Yates was entitled to his grievance.

The Guardian - Sport

County I was entitled to this information".

The New Yorker

He was entitled to do so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was entitled to" when you want to emphasize that someone had a legitimate right or claim to something based on rules, laws, or agreements.

Common error

Avoid using "was entitled to" when you mean someone believed they deserved something, but lacked a legitimate basis for that belief. The latter suggests arrogance or a sense of undeserved privilege.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was entitled to" functions as a verb phrase indicating possession of a right or eligibility. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase. Examples show it used to express rights, permissions, or deserved outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was entitled to" is a very common verb phrase used to indicate that someone had a legitimate right or claim to something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for use in written English. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its frequent occurrence in news and media, as well as in encyclopedias. While generally neutral in register, careful attention should be paid to distinguishing between possessing a legitimate entitlement and merely feeling entitled. Alternatives like "had a right to" or "was authorized to" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a right to

Focuses on the legal or moral right to possess or do something.

was authorized to

Implies official permission or sanction to do something.

was permitted to

Suggests that someone was given allowance or consent.

was allowed to

Similar to "was permitted to", but can also imply a lack of restriction.

was eligible for

Indicates meeting the necessary conditions for receiving something.

was qualified for

Suggests having the necessary skills or attributes to receive something.

was justified in

Focuses on the righteousness or fairness of an action.

was warranted to

Implies that the situation justified a particular action or outcome.

deserved to receive

Highlights the merit or worthiness of receiving something.

had a claim to

Emphasizes a legal or rightful demand for something.

FAQs

How can I use "was entitled to" in a sentence?

Use "was entitled to" to indicate that someone had a legal, moral, or contractual right to something. For example, "Because of his years of service, he was entitled to a pension".

What is a good alternative to "was entitled to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "had a right to", "was authorized to", or "was eligible for".

Is it correct to say "was entitled of" instead of "was entitled to"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "entitled" in this context is "to". "Was entitled of" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "was entitled to" and "felt entitled to"?

"Was entitled to" implies a legitimate right based on rules or agreements, while "felt entitled to" suggests a subjective belief of deserving something, which may not be justified.