were granted access

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were granted access" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to someone being given permission to enter or use something, such as a location, system, or information. Example: "The researchers were granted access to the confidential data." Alternative expressions include "were given access" and "were allowed access."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Only the most severely ill people, many in wheelchairs, were granted access.

The Guardian

But if the attacker hit "enter" without typing in any code they were granted access to the account.

The Guardian - Tech

MSF medical teams were granted access by the Libyan coastguard so they could treat all those in need.

The Guardian

At separation, all calves were granted access to 12 L of milk 24 h/d from the AMF until weaning began at 7 wk of age.

Journal of Dairy Science

At times, the stories of 26 Australian political activists who were granted access to their secret ASIO files made me angry.

The Guardian - Opinion

A select million fans were granted access to the site last summer following a hunt for a 'magic key' hidden on a series of websites, including the Guardian.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

No, I haven't been granted access.

The New York Times

Very few journalists have been granted access to the camps.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was the only "art photographer" to be granted access.

The Guardian - Arts

And yet what had I been granted access to?

The New York Times - Magazine

The Guardian was granted access to the controversial facility.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use active voice for a more concise and direct expression: instead of saying "Access was granted to them" you can rephrase it as "They were granted access".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "access", which means the ability to enter or use something, with "excess", which means an amount that is more than necessary or permitted. For example, say "They were granted access to the data", not "They were granted excess to the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were granted access" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something received permission or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were granted access" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction to indicate that someone or something received permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and appears frequently across various contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and academic writing. While its usage is primarily neutral, it suits a range of communication settings effectively. Alternatives like "were given permission" or "were authorized" can be used depending on the specific context to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were given permission

Replaces "granted access" with a more direct synonym for permission.

were authorized

Emphasizes the official approval aspect of granting access.

were allowed entry

Focuses on the physical act of entering a place.

were permitted to enter

A more formal way of saying "were allowed entry".

gained admittance

Highlights the achievement of getting access.

were cleared to proceed

Suggests a formal clearance process before access is granted.

had authorization

Focuses on the state of possessing the required permission.

were empowered

Highlights the aspect of being given power or authority.

were enfranchised

Suggests the granting of a right or privilege.

were sanctioned

Implies official backing or approval for the access.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were granted access" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "were given permission", "were authorized", or "were allowed entry" depending on the context.

Is "were granted access" formal or informal?

The phrase "were granted access" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It's commonly found in news reports, academic papers, and professional documents.

What does "were granted access" mean?

It means that someone was given permission or the right to enter, use, or view something. It implies a process of authorization or approval.

What is the difference between "were granted access" and "had access"?

"Were granted access" implies a specific event where permission was given. "Had access" implies a more general state of possessing the ability to enter or use something over a period of time.