was permitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was permitted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was allowed to do something in the past. Example: "He was permitted to enter the restricted area after showing his identification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Such borrowing was permitted.

The New York Times

No photocopying was permitted.

The New York Times

Only minimal quotation was permitted.

The New York Times - Arts

The reporter was permitted through.

The New York Times

Their waste of time was permitted.

The New Yorker

He was permitted to visit twice.

The New York Times

Chinese Taipei was permitted as shorthand.

The New York Times

The use of uranium was permitted.

The Guardian

Rajner was permitted to keep the Suburban.

The New Yorker

Eventually, she was permitted to watch the speech.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Everything I did was permitted," Clinton said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was permitted", ensure the context clearly indicates who granted the permission and under what conditions. For example, "Entry to the building was permitted only with a valid ID."

Common error

Avoid using "was permitted" with plural subjects. The correct form for plural subjects is "were permitted". For instance, instead of saying "Students was permitted to leave early", say "Students were permitted to leave early".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was permitted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something received authorization or allowance. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing past actions that were officially sanctioned or allowed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

33%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was permitted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates authorization or allowance in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile, appearing in neutral to formal contexts, particularly within news and scientific domains. When writing, ensure that your subject-verb agreement is correct and that the context clarifies who granted the permission and any specific conditions. Consider alternatives like "was allowed" or "was authorized" to add nuance or formality. By avoiding common errors and understanding its register, you can effectively employ "was permitted" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was allowed

Uses a different verb ("allow" instead of "permit") to convey the same meaning of granting permission.

was granted permission

A more explicit and formal way of saying "was permitted".

was authorized

Similar to "was permitted" but highlights the formal authorization process.

was licensed

Indicates that a formal license or certification was granted, allowing a specific activity.

had authorization

Emphasizes the possession of authorization rather than the act of permitting.

was sanctioned

Implies official approval or endorsement.

was given leave

More formal and often used in specific contexts like military or employment.

was cleared

Suggests that any obstacles or doubts were removed, allowing the action to proceed.

was entitled

Suggests a right or entitlement to do something, rather than simply being allowed.

was enabled

Focuses on providing the means or opportunity to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "was permitted" in a sentence?

"Was permitted" indicates that someone was allowed to do something. For example, "He "was permitted to" visit the museum after hours".

What is a synonym for "was permitted"?

A synonym for "was permitted" is "was allowed". Both phrases indicate that someone had permission to do something.

Is it correct to say "was permitted to" or "was permitted in order to"?

"Was permitted to" is generally the correct construction. "Was permitted in order to" is less common and might be better phrased as "was permitted so as to" or "was allowed to in order to" to clearly express the purpose.

What's the difference between "was permitted" and "was required"?

"Was permitted" means something was allowed, while "was required" means something was mandatory. For example, "Masks were permitted but not required" indicates that wearing masks was optional.