were given access to

USAGE SUMMARY

"were given access to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the granting of permission or opportunity to do something. For example, "The students were given access to the library after school hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

School nurses were given access to the electronic health record with parental permission.

Harvard Business Review

Registered users were given access to company data sheets, engineering expertise, and simulation software.

Harvard Business Review

Spiderlings were given access to a bifurcated escape route (Y-choice set-up) from a container.

Animal Behaviour

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

At Stanford, researchers had achieved some exciting results when the nets were given access to large quantities of data.

The New Yorker

Guests were given access to telephones and internet points on board in order to contact loved ones.

The Telegraph

"We thought that if employers and insurance companies were given access to these records, then patients should, too," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were given access to", ensure the context clearly defines what was accessed and why. For example, specify "were given access to the database for research purposes".

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice, as it can make your writing sound weak. Instead of "The documents were given access to by the team", consider "The team accessed the documents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were given access to" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject received permission or the means to use or enter something. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were given access to" is a commonly used and grammatically correct passive verb phrase indicating that permission or opportunity was granted to someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted in written English. Analysis of various sources reveals that it frequently appears in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While it can be used in various settings, be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice. Alternatives like "gained access to" or "accessed" may sometimes create a stronger, more direct tone in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were granted entry to

Focuses on the act of entering or being allowed to enter a place or system.

were permitted to use

Emphasizes the permission aspect, highlighting that usage was officially allowed.

were authorized to view

Specifically relates to viewing information or data, implying authorization.

were allowed admittance to

Highlights the act of being permitted to enter or join something.

were provided entry into

Focuses on the act of being provided or supplied with a means of entry.

were cleared to approach

Implies a security or clearance aspect, suggesting permission to get closer to something.

were enabled to utilize

Highlights the act of being enabled or empowered to use something effectively.

were designated for

Indicates that something was assigned or allocated to them for use.

could avail themselves of

More formal, suggesting they took advantage of an available opportunity.

were at liberty to use

Emphasizes freedom and lack of restriction in using something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were given access to" to sound more active?

You can use active alternatives such as "gained access to", "accessed", or "were granted access to". For example, instead of "The researchers "were given access to" the data", you could say "The researchers gained access to the data".

Is "were given access to" formal or informal?

The phrase "were given access to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "were granted access to" might be preferred in strictly formal writing.

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

"Were given access to" implies a specific event where access was granted, while "had access to" implies a continuous state of having permission or ability. For example, "They "were given access to" the system yesterday" versus "They had access to the system for a year".

What are some common things people "were given access to"?

People are commonly ""were given access to"" resources, information, systems, or locations. For instance, "Students "were given access to" the library", or "Employees "were given access to" confidential data".