were given permission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were given permission" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has received authorization or consent to do something in the past. Example: "The students were given permission to leave early for the field trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We were given permission to proceed upstairs.

The Guardian

Local authorities were given permission to impose curfews if necessary.

Independent

The pilots were given permission to mark the target by determining its precise location.

The New York Times

1992 Polytechnics were given permission to become universities, capable of awarding their own degrees.

The Guardian

Over half the eligible ones were given permission by their parents to take them.

The New Yorker

For years, the muralists were given permission by a business owner on the block.

The New York Times

IF you were given permission — IF you hadn't changed them... etc.

The New Yorker

All three were given permission to negotiate with Howard's agent, Dan Fegan.

The New York Times - Sports

On Friday, police were given permission by magistrates to continue holding him until tomorrow morning.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

IF you were given permission IF you hadn't changed them..

The New Yorker

IF you were given permission IF you hadn't changed them … etc.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were given permission", ensure the context clearly indicates who granted the permission and for what specific action or purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "was given permission" when referring to a plural subject. Ensure the verb "were" agrees with the plural subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were given permission" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received authorization to perform an action. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts where authority is granted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were given permission" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that someone has received authorization to perform a specific action. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but also sees usage in scientific and encyclopedic content. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When using "were given permission", ensure clarity regarding who granted the permission and the specific action authorized. Alternatives include "were authorized" and "received authorization", offering nuanced variations in meaning. Avoid the common error of using "was" with plural subjects, maintaining correct subject-verb agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were authorized

A more concise and direct way of saying "were given permission".

received authorization

Similar to "were given permission" but emphasizes the act of receiving.

had authorization

Emphasizes the state of possessing authorization.

obtained authorization

Focuses on the act of obtaining authorization rather than the act of granting it.

secured approval

Highlights the effort made to obtain approval.

were cleared

Indicates that someone or something was cleared to proceed.

were licensed

Implies a formal permission, often involving a license or permit.

were sanctioned

Suggests a more formal or official approval.

were empowered

Indicates that someone was given the power or authority to do something.

were entitled

Suggests a right or eligibility to do something.

FAQs

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

Use "were given permission" to indicate that someone received authorization to perform a specific action. For example: "The students "were given permission" to use the lab equipment after completing the safety course."

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

You can use alternatives like "were authorized", "received authorization", or "obtained approval" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were given permission" or "was given permission"?

"Were given permission" is correct for plural subjects, while "was given permission" is correct for singular subjects. For instance: "They "were given permission"", but "He "was given permission"".

What's the difference between "were given permission" and "allowed"?

"Were given permission" emphasizes the act of receiving authorization, while "allowed" focuses on the act of granting authorization. For example: "They "were given permission" by the teacher", versus "The teacher allowed them to do it".