was given permission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was given permission" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has received approval or consent to do something. Example: "After a thorough review, she was given permission to proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was given permission.

The New York Times - Magazine

A crew was given permission to try.

The New York Times

I was given permission to examine the book.

The New Yorker

But somewhere I was given permission, and gave permission to myself, to be 'that girl'.

The Guardian - Music

After consulting with his community's elders, Walley was given permission to welcome the visiting performers.

The Guardian

Intriguingly, Gladiatorus was given permission to go out first and lead the parade.

The Guardian - Sport

Piperno's team was given permission to study the remains of three Neanderthal skeletons.

The Guardian

CALIFORNIA -- Announced sophomore men's basketball F Dominic McGuire was given permission to transfer.

The New York Times

It's not clear whether the production was given permission to shoot on the line.

The Guardian - Film

The Asis officer was given permission to talk to the lawyer about his employment concerns.

The Guardian - Opinion

But then when I was given permission to do that, I had to make it work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider active voice alternatives (e.g., "The council permitted...") if you want to emphasize the entity granting the permission rather than the recipient.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "Permission was given" without specifying who provided the permission. This can create confusion and weaken the sentence's clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was given permission" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that someone received authorization or consent to perform an action. Ludwig AI examples show it commonly describes formal approvals or allowances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was given permission" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone has received authorization to do something. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is frequently found in news and media contexts, though it also appears in more formal and informal settings. When using "was given permission", ensure clarity by specifying who granted the permission and the scope of that authorization. Alternative phrases such as "received authorization" or "was authorized" can provide slight variations in emphasis, as well as more engaging or professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received authorization

Emphasizes the formal receipt of authorization, rather than the act of granting it.

was authorized

A more concise passive form, removing the explicit mention of "permission".

obtained approval

Highlights the act of acquiring approval, focusing on the effort made.

was granted consent

Replaces "permission" with "consent", suggesting agreement or assent.

had leave to

Uses the word 'leave', implying a formal allowance, often in professional contexts.

was sanctioned to

Suggests a formal endorsement or approval, often by an authority.

secured clearance

Indicates that any previous obstacles have been removed and they now have authorization.

was empowered to

Focuses on the authority granted, highlighting the ability to act.

was given the green light

An idiomatic expression signifying approval to proceed with something.

had the go-ahead

An informal phrase indicating that permission was given to begin an action.

FAQs

How can I use "was given permission" in a sentence?

You can use "was given permission" to indicate that someone received authorization to do something. For example, "The student "was given permission" to submit the assignment late."

What are some alternatives to "was given permission"?

Some alternatives include "received authorization", "obtained approval", or "was authorized", depending on the context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice when describing permission?

Using the active voice (e.g., "The supervisor permitted the employee") emphasizes the grantor of permission. The passive voice ("The employee "was given permission"") emphasizes the receiver. Choose the voice that best suits your desired focus.

What's the difference between "was given permission" and "was granted permission"?

The phrases "was given permission" and "was granted permission" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate that someone received authorization, but "granted" might suggest a slightly more formal or official context.