was granted access

USAGE SUMMARY

'was granted access' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who was given permission to enter, view, or use something. For example: The scientist was granted access to the lab in order to conduct her experiment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even as Mr. Barker was granted access, skepticism and hostility also greeted the project.

The New York Times

Goldman took taxpayer dollars and was granted access to cheap Federal Reserve money.

The New York Times

The Guardian was granted access to the 225m skyscraper – known as the Cheesegrater – ahead of completion.

The Guardian - Business

I arrived after the scheduled media access time but was granted access nevertheless.

The Guardian - Sport

The International Committee of the Red Cross last year was granted access to Myanmar's prison system.

The New York Times

An earlier version said a reporter from the Times was granted access to the nursery visit.

The Guardian

There he was granted access to a wall full of keys and entry to any cottage he wished to shoot.

The New York Times

In March, he was granted access to a lawyer, though not the one his family chose to represent him.

The Guardian

In March, he was granted access to a lawyer, though not the one of his family's choosing.

The Guardian

An inspection team was allowed to single out a specific site at the base, and then was granted access to a few buildings there.

The New Yorker

In the summer of 2012, the state was granted access to the Department of Homeland Security database after challenging the federal government in court.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was granted access", ensure the context clearly indicates who granted the access and what was being accessed. For example, "The researcher was granted access to the database by the university."

Common error

Avoid using "was granted access to" followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing) when a noun is more appropriate. Instead of "was granted access to reviewing the documents", use "was granted access to the documents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was granted access" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something received permission or authorization to enter, view, or use something. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was granted access" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys the act of receiving permission or authorization. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure you specify who granted the access and what was being accessed, while avoiding incorrect preposition usage. Consider alternatives like "was authorized to use" for a more formal tone. Overall, "was granted access" is a reliable and versatile phrase for expressing permission or authorization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was given permission to enter

Focuses on the explicit permission given to enter a place.

was allowed entry to

Emphasizes the act of being permitted to enter a specific location.

was cleared to access

Implies a clearance or approval process before gaining access.

was authorized to use

Highlights the formal authorization to utilize a resource or service.

was permitted to view

Stresses the allowance to see or examine something.

was entitled to enter

Suggests a right or entitlement to access something.

was afforded the opportunity to access

Highlights the provision of a chance to access something.

had admittance to

Formal way to indicate being allowed to enter.

was given the green light to access

Idiomatic expression indicating approval to proceed with access.

had the privilege of entering

Emphasizes the special opportunity or honor of entering.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was granted access" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "was authorized to use", "was permitted to view", or "had admittance to".

Is there a difference between "was granted access" and "was given access"?

While both phrases are similar, "was granted access" often implies a more formal or official process of receiving permission, whereas "was given access" can be more informal or general.

What's the best way to indicate who provided the access when using "was granted access"?

Follow the phrase with "by" to specify the grantor. For instance, "The journalist was granted access by the government" or "The student was granted access by the professor".

Can "was granted access" be used in contexts other than physical entry?

Yes, "was granted access" can also refer to non-physical access, such as to information, systems, or resources. For example, "The analyst was granted access to confidential data".