was permitted to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was permitted to' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when one is granted rights or authority to do something. For example: Emma was permitted to take a day off from work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nevertheless, he was permitted to teach..

Cornell University

However, the case was permitted to continue.

The New York Times

He was permitted to visit twice.

The New York Times

Rajner was permitted to keep the Suburban.

The New Yorker

In 1905 he was permitted to return to St . Petersburg

Britannica

Eventually, she was permitted to watch the speech.

The New York Times

I was permitted to visit the loo twice a day.

The Guardian

Abish was permitted to carry away two small toys.

The New Yorker

His friend Ye Dezhuang was permitted to accompany him.

The New Yorker

He was permitted to return to Egypt in 1901.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just one MP was permitted to speak for 15 seconds.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was permitted to" when indicating formal or explicit permission was granted. It's suitable for contexts where authority or rules are involved.

Common error

Avoid using "was permitted to" in casual conversation where simpler phrases like "was allowed to" or "could" are more appropriate. Overuse can sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was permitted to" functions as a passive construction indicating authorization or allowance. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where subjects receive explicit permission to perform an action. These examples demonstrate a formal granting of rights or privileges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was permitted to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone received authorization or allowance to do something. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalence across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While highly versatile, it carries a formal tone and may not suit casual conversations. Consider related phrases such as "was allowed to" or "had authorization to" depending on the desired level of formality and focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was allowed to

A more general term for permission, suitable for both formal and informal situations.

was authorized to

Similar to 'had authorization', but uses passive voice to focus on the action being authorized.

had authorization to

Emphasizes having prior approval or formal permission, suggesting a more official context.

was cleared to

Indicates that any necessary checks or approvals have been completed, allowing the action to proceed.

was given leave to

Implies that permission was granted, often suggesting a formal or official process.

was entitled to

Indicates a right or legal entitlement to do something, often based on rules or regulations.

was sanctioned to

Emphasizes official approval or endorsement, often implying a higher authority.

had the liberty to

Suggests freedom or the right to act, implying a broader scope of permission.

was empowered to

Focuses on the delegation of power or authority to act, often in a specific capacity.

was granted the privilege of

Highlights the special or exclusive nature of the permission, suggesting it's not universally available.

FAQs

What does "was permitted to" mean?

The phrase "was permitted to" means that someone received authorization or approval to do something. It implies that permission was granted by an authority or set of rules.

What's the difference between "was permitted to" and "was allowed to"?

While both phrases indicate permission, "was permitted to" often suggests a more formal or official context than "was allowed to". "Was permitted to" implies a specific rule or authority granted the permission.

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

You can use "was permitted to" to describe situations where someone received authorization to act: "The student was permitted to retake the exam". "The family "was permitted to visit him there"".

What are some alternatives to "was permitted to"?

Some alternatives include "was authorized to", "was allowed to", "was given leave to", or "had permission to". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.