were empowered with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were empowered with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was given the authority or power to do something, often in a context of enabling or supporting individuals or groups. Example: "The community members were empowered with the resources they needed to start their own businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We were empowered with hope.. Too many people fighting for the same cause.

Huffington Post

We were empowered with a noble chutzpah and confidence in our agency -- young and inexperienced though we were.

Huffington Post

Only those who were empowered with the skill of literacy can take responsibility for all the reading and writing we need to do throughout our lives; there can be no such responsibility in the absence of ability.

Huffington Post

Caregivers were empowered with knowledge for the prevention of illnesses and immediate response in frontline areas, particularly important, as access problems prevent caregivers from reaching medical facilities with their children.

Unicef

However, the finding that 30% of women chose tamoxifen at 6 weeks or later, and 12% chose to stop altogether, suggest that patients were more than capable of weighing up the complex issues of risks, benefits and quality of life, provided they were empowered with the appropriate experience.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Women need to be empowered with knowledge.

The New York Times - Style

They must also be empowered with knowledge, skills, and tools to take action.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And if I'm empowered with the truth, I'm not going to shut up".

The New Yorker

They are being empowered with language that has not just changed their lives, but also those of their mothers.

The Guardian

Thanks to the Founding Fathers, federal judges are empowered with the job security and the leeway to think for themselves.

The New Yorker

"The United States strongly believes that the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately," the White House statement said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were empowered with" when you want to emphasize the act of giving someone the capacity or authority to act, make decisions, or control resources. It is especially appropriate when highlighting a shift in power dynamics or an increase in someone's ability to influence events.

Common error

Avoid using "were empowered with" when simply describing someone receiving help or assistance. Empowerment implies a significant increase in autonomy and control, not just temporary aid.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were empowered with" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject received the ability, authority, or means to achieve something. Ludwig shows that it typically modifies a noun by describing a state of being granted power or resources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were empowered with" is a grammatically sound construction used to describe the act of bestowing authority, ability, or resources. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While its occurrence is relatively rare, it's most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a genuine increase in autonomy and control, as misuse can dilute its intended impact. Consider alternatives like "were equipped with" or "were given the authority to" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were given the authority to

Directly indicates the granting of permission or right to act.

were authorized to

Highlights the official or formal permission granted.

were equipped with

Focuses on providing the necessary tools or resources rather than specifically granting authority.

were enabled to

Focuses on making it possible for someone to do something, often by removing obstacles.

were invested with

Implies a more formal or ceremonial granting of power or authority.

were entrusted with

Emphasizes the aspect of trust and responsibility in the delegation.

were licensed to

Highlights the formal granting of a license or permit.

were capacitated to

A more formal way of saying 'were enabled'.

were furnished with

Highlights the act of providing something necessary or useful.

were supplied with

Focuses on the provision of resources or materials.

FAQs

What does "were empowered with" mean?

The phrase "were empowered with" means that individuals or groups were given the authority, ability, or resources to do something. It implies an increase in their capacity to influence events or make decisions.

What can I say instead of "were empowered with"?

You can use alternatives like "were equipped with", "were given the authority to", or "were authorized to" depending on the context.

Is "were empowered with" formal or informal?

The phrase "were empowered with" is generally considered neutral to formal. Its register depends on the context, but it is suitable for professional, news, and academic settings.

How do I use "were empowered with" in a sentence?

Use "were empowered with" to indicate that someone gained power, authority, or the means to achieve something. For example, "The citizens were empowered with the knowledge to make informed decisions."