were given leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were given leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where permission or authorization is granted, often in formal or legal situations. Example: "The employees were given leave to attend the conference, ensuring their participation in the important discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Up to 20 were given leave of absence.

The Telegraph

Some were given leave to go to London to celebrate, but I was on duty on the boat, so I didn't get the chance.

The Guardian

After the outcome of the criminal trial, the birth parents asked for and were given leave to appeal the family court's initial findings of abuse.

The Guardian

Members from this church were given leave to form a church in Hornby and Mud Creek in the 1830's, in Oak Hill in 1849 and in Campbell in 1874.

Cornell University

Not long afterwards, police were given leave to clear the steps themselves, the site of former Canon Chancellor Giles Fraser's famous intervention of 16 October, when he asked the police to leave and recognised our right to assemble.

The Guardian

While the white naval workers at Port Chicago were given leave to help them recover from the devastation, Meeks and more than 300 other black enlistees were put right back to work and ordered to load more munitions at a new site, Mare Island, 15 miles closer to San Francisco.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The United Kingdom was given leave to intervene in support of the defendants.

Harvard University

He was given leave to go home, to his wife who was expecting a child.

The New York Times - Sports

If they are deemed true asylum seekers, they are given leave to stay in Papua New Guinea.

Independent

Only two have been convicted and one of them has now been given leave to appeal.

Independent

A man from Fukuoka, Tatsushiro Koga, was given leave to "develop" the islands.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were given leave", ensure the context clearly indicates who granted the leave and for what purpose. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was given leave" when referring to multiple subjects. Ensure subject-verb agreement by using "were" for plural subjects. For example, it's correct to say "The soldiers were given leave", not "The soldiers was given leave."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were given leave" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received permission or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It emphasizes the action of granting permission rather than who performed the action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were given leave" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate that someone received permission or authorization for absence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with some usage in wiki and academic sources. While not extremely common, its usage is clear and widely understood. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity regarding who granted the leave. Consider alternatives such as "were granted permission" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were granted permission

Uses "granted permission" instead of "given leave", emphasizing the act of bestowing permission.

were authorized

Replaces "given leave" with the single word "authorized", providing a more concise alternative.

were permitted

Substitutes "given leave" with "permitted", highlighting the allowance of something.

received authorization

Changes the structure to focus on receiving authorization instead of being given leave.

obtained permission

Emphasizes the act of obtaining permission actively, rather than passively receiving leave.

had permission granted

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the granting of permission.

were sanctioned

Uses "sanctioned" which can imply official approval or endorsement.

were allowed time off

Specifically refers to time off, which is a common context for being given leave.

were excused

Implies being excused from a duty or obligation, similar to being given leave.

were released from duty

Focuses on the release from obligation, providing a more specific context.

FAQs

What does "were given leave" mean?

The phrase "were given leave" means that someone or a group of people received permission or authorization to be absent from duty, work, or other obligations for a specific period.

How can I use "were given leave" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate that permission was granted. For example: "The employees "were granted permission" to attend the conference", or "The soldiers were given leave after their tour of duty".

What are some alternatives to "were given leave"?

Alternatives include phrases like "were granted permission", "were authorized", or "were permitted". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "was given leave" instead of "were given leave"?

No, "was given leave" is only correct when referring to a singular subject. Use "were given leave" for plural subjects. For example, "He was given leave" is correct, but "They were given leave" is also correct.