was granted asylum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was granted asylum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has been officially given protection in a country due to fear of persecution in their home country. Example: "After a lengthy application process, she was granted asylum in the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was granted asylum.

The New Yorker

She was granted asylum in 2011.

The New York Times

Firas was granted asylum in February.

The New Yorker

She was granted asylum in 1996.

The Washington Post

He was granted asylum in 2000.

The Guardian

He was granted asylum on Christmas Eve.

The Guardian

After a two-year wait, he was granted asylum.

Independent

Last December, Ana, then 19, was granted asylum.

The New York Times

In 1992, however, she was granted asylum in the Netherlands.

Independent

Mr Berezovsky was granted asylum in Britain in September 2003.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The videos are the first taken of Snowden since he was granted asylum in Russia.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was granted asylum", ensure the context clearly indicates the granting country or organization. For example, "He was granted asylum in Canada after fleeing persecution."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "asylum". It's more appropriate to say "granted asylum in [country]" rather than "granted asylum to [country]" or "granted asylum by [person]".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was granted asylum" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received asylum. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is used to report the official act of a country or authority providing protection to a person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was granted asylum" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that an individual has been officially given protection in a foreign country due to fear of persecution in their home country. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to inform audiences of an individual's refugee status. While alternatives like "received asylum" or "was given asylum" exist, "was granted asylum" carries a slightly more formal tone, explicitly acknowledging the granting authority. To use the phrase effectively, ensure clear context, correct preposition usage (in, not to or by), and a strong understanding of its implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received asylum

Focuses on the act of receiving asylum, omitting the granting authority.

obtained asylum

Emphasizes the effort involved in acquiring asylum.

was given refuge

Uses the term "refuge" instead of "asylum", implying shelter and protection.

was offered asylum

Highlights the offer of asylum, rather than the final granting.

was provided asylum

Focuses on the provision of asylum, emphasizing the act of supplying protection.

secured asylum

Emphasizes the act of making asylum secure.

was permitted to stay

Focuses on the permission to remain, rather than the official asylum status.

was allowed to remain

Similar to "was permitted to stay", highlighting the allowance to stay.

found sanctuary

Implies a safe haven was discovered or reached, rather than officially granted.

was sheltered

Suggests a basic form of protection, lacking the official status of asylum.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "was granted asylum"?

It means that a person has been officially recognized as a refugee by a country and is allowed to stay there because they fear persecution in their home country.

Which is more formal, "was granted asylum" or "received asylum"?

"Was granted asylum" is slightly more formal as it explicitly mentions the granting authority. "Received asylum" is a more concise and commonly used alternative.

What are some synonyms for "was granted asylum"?

Alternatives include "was given asylum", "obtained asylum", or "found refuge", although the precise meaning may vary slightly depending on the context.

How does being "granted asylum" differ from being a "refugee"?

A refugee is someone who has fled their home country due to fear of persecution. Being "granted asylum" is the formal process by which a country recognizes a refugee and allows them to stay. So, a person is a refugee first, and then they may be "granted asylum".