was granted to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was granted to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something, such as a right, privilege, or award, has been given to someone or something. Example: "The scholarship was granted to the most deserving student in the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Free choice was granted to us, and that's that.

The New Yorker

Funding was granted to eight projects in Armenia, Estonia, Latvia, Mongolia, Poland, Senegal, Uganda, Uzbekistan.

Harvard University

In August 2013, a loan was granted to the association of women salt producers.

Yale University

An appeal was granted to the St . Louiscourt of criminal correction, which affirmed the judgment.

Cornell University

It was granted to an existing corporation, which had a franchise.

Cornell University

In September this award was granted to eight Berkeley graduate students for excellence in their field.

University of California, Berkeley

Political equality was granted to the labourers and to most of the trade guilds in 1313.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are Roman remains, and a royal charter was granted to the town in 1237.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once the patent was granted to Creative, it became a license to sue.

The New York Times - Tech

Amnesty was granted to rebel fighters and nearly 600 Chechen separatists surrendered in 2006 alone.

The New York Times

It was occupied by the French (1680 1815) and then was granted to Bavaria in 1816.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was granted to", ensure the subject receiving the grant is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The patent was granted to the inventor" is clearer than "The patent was granted."

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice with "was granted to", as it can make writing seem indirect and less engaging. Consider rephrasing sentences to use the active voice where appropriate. For instance, instead of "The loan was granted to her by the bank", try "The bank granted her the loan."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was granted to" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something received a right, permission, or benefit from an unspecified actor. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

19%

News & Media

19%

Less common in

Science

17%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was granted to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive construction. According to Ludwig, it serves to indicate that something, be it a right, permission, or benefit, has been officially bestowed upon a recipient. The phrase is common in academic, encyclopedia, news, and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure the recipient is clearly identified. When aiming for more direct prose, consider rephrasing into the active voice. Alternatives include "was awarded to", "was given to", and "was allocated to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was awarded to

Focuses on recognition or achievement being formally conferred.

was given to

A simpler, more general way of expressing that something was handed over or provided.

was allocated to

Suggests a specific portion or resource was designated for a particular recipient.

was assigned to

Implies a duty or responsibility was entrusted to someone.

was bestowed upon

A more formal and literary way to say something was given, often implying honor.

was conferred on

Similar to 'bestowed upon' but often used in the context of titles or degrees.

was permitted to

Indicates that authorization or consent was given for a specific action.

was entitled to

Signifies a legal or moral right to receive something.

was authorized to

Highlights that official approval or permission was provided.

was bequeathed to

Specifically refers to something being left to someone in a will.

FAQs

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

Use "was granted to" to indicate that something such as a right, privilege, or award, has been officially given or allowed. Example: "Citizenship was granted to her after five years of residency."

What are some alternatives to "was granted to"?

You can use alternatives like "was awarded to", "was given to", or "was allocated to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was granted to"?

While "was granted to" is in the passive voice and grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "Permission was granted to us", you could write "They granted us permission."

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

"Was granted to" implies that something was officially given or permitted, while "was entitled to" suggests a legal or moral right to receive something. For example, a scholarship is granted, but a citizen is entitled to certain rights.