were given access

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were given access" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where individuals or groups were granted permission to enter or use something, such as information, resources, or locations. Example: "The researchers were given access to the confidential data necessary for their study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In December, South Africans were given access to the iTunes digital music store from Apple.

The New York Times - Tech

They were given access to the maternity ward at Kasturba Hospital in Delhi's Old City.

The New York Times

By that time, the building was under police surveillance after officers were given access to the CCTV system.

The Guardian

Because we weren't expected to waste time reinventing the wheel, we were given access to the best ideas and practices.

The New York Times

On the other hand, even though their words were not censored, the reporters were given access to only certain areas.

The New York Times

In the countries that fought in the war, especially the United States, returning veterans were given access to higher education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Households in the first group of villages were given access to microloans, where the average loan was worth $113.

The Economist

The researchers were given access to carcasses of two species of rorquals -- fin and minke whales -- not to two carcasses.

The New York Times

The writers were given access to any suspect they wanted, and to any file, many stamped "Top Secret".

The New York Times

The Guardian, along with the New York Times and German weekly Der Spiegel were given access to the archive and have spent several weeks investigating the logs.

The Guardian

Officials were given access to county election records to see who had requested a ballot and who had not mailed their ballots back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were given access" when you want to emphasize that someone else provided the access, rather than the subject obtaining it themselves.

Common error

Avoid using "were given access" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "They were given access to the data", consider "They accessed the data" if the emphasis is on their action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were given access" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the ability or permission to use or enter something. It emphasizes the act of granting access rather than the subject's action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and widely used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were given access" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It functions as a passive construction, emphasizing the act of granting permission or opportunity. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. Remember to use it when you want to highlight that access was provided by an external source. Consider alternatives like "were granted access" or "were permitted access" for a more formal tone, and avoid using it when the active voice is more direct and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were granted access

A more formal and direct synonym, emphasizing the act of granting permission.

were permitted access

Similar to 'were granted access', but focuses on the permission aspect.

were allowed access

Emphasizes the allowance or authorization to access something.

were authorized to access

Highlights the official or formal authorization to access.

were provided access

Focuses on the act of providing or making access available.

were enabled to access

Suggests that something was done to make access possible.

had access

A simpler way of saying that access was available, without specifying how it was given.

gained access

Indicates that access was obtained, possibly through effort or a process.

could access

Focuses on the ability to access, rather than the act of granting access.

were opened up to

Emphasizes the broadening or expansion of access to something.

FAQs

How to use "were given access" in a sentence?

You can use "were given access" to indicate that someone received permission or the means to use something. For example, "The researchers "were given access" to the data after obtaining ethical approval."

What can I say instead of "were given access"?

You can use alternatives like "were granted access", "were permitted access", or "were allowed access" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were given access" or "had access"?

Both are correct, but ""were given access"" emphasizes that someone provided the access, while "had access" simply states that access was available.

What's the difference between "were given access" and "gained access"?

"Were given access" implies that access was granted by someone, while "gained access" suggests that access was obtained through effort or a process.