were granted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were granted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that permission, rights, or privileges were given to someone in the past. Example: "The applicants were granted access to the confidential information after a thorough review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No options were granted.

The New York Times

The approvals were granted.

The New York Times

Interviews were granted.

The New York Times

The benefits were granted.

The New York Times

Just 27 were granted.

The Washington Post

Only three exceptions were granted.

The New York Times

Each year, four were granted.

The New Yorker

The men were granted exemptions.

The New York Times

Both applicants were granted patents.

The New York Times - Magazine

Half the requests were granted.

The New York Times

Both were granted conditional bail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were granted" when you want to emphasize the act of giving permission, rights, or privileges, especially by an authority or institution.

Common error

Avoid using "were granted" when the active voice is more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "Permissions were granted by the council", use "The council granted permissions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were granted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something received permission, rights, or privileges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and grammatically sound expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

12%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were granted" is a versatile phrase that effectively conveys the act of bestowing permission, rights, or privileges. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically sound and frequently used in English. Its prevalence in news articles, encyclopedias, and academic papers highlights its applicability across diverse communication contexts. When using "were granted", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. Alternatives like "were given" or "were awarded" may be suitable depending on the formality and context of your writing. Always ensure that the verb tense and subject agreement are correct to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were given

This alternative uses a more common verb, "given", to convey the same meaning of bestowing something.

were awarded

This alternative suggests a more formal conferral, often used in the context of prizes or honors.

were allowed

This alternative indicates permission or authorization was given.

were authorized

This alternative emphasizes the official or legal nature of the permission.

were permitted

Similar to "were allowed", but can imply a more specific consent.

were allocated

This alternative suggests resources or funds were distributed.

were endowed with

Implies a natural or inherent quality was bestowed.

received

Focuses on the act of getting something rather than the act of giving.

were the recipients of

A more formal way of saying "received", emphasizing the receiver.

were beneficiaries of

Indicates that someone gained an advantage or benefit.

FAQs

How to use "were granted" in a sentence?

Use "were granted" to indicate that permission, rights, or privileges were officially given. For example: "The refugees "were granted asylum"".

What can I say instead of "were granted"?

You can use alternatives like "were given", "were awarded", or "were allowed" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "were granted" or "was granted"?

"Were granted" is used with plural subjects, while "was granted" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The requests were granted", but "The request was granted".

What's the difference between "were granted" and "were given"?

"Were granted" often implies a formal or official process of bestowing something, while "were given" is a more general term for receiving something. "The scholarships were granted by the university", versus "They were given gifts".