were let to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'were let to' is correct and usable in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb 'let', which is usually used when talking about allowing or permitting something. For example: "The students were let to leave the classroom early as a reward for their hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

In 1925 contracts were let to private concerns.

The New Yorker

The company's privileges were let to a group of Saint-Malo merchants from 1708 20.

Britannica

When first rented, one quarter of the apartments were let to tuberculosis patients.

The New York Times

But the parts contracts for the 787 were let to 135 sites in two dozen countries.

The New York Times

Residential properties were rented out on long-term leases and commercial ones were let to the highest bidder.

The Economist

And both were let to fall apart when the cordon sanitaire that buffered the rest of Europe from the Soviet Union lost its geopolitical usefulness to the West.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Each contributing factorial constituent was let to change with an associated independent variable.

Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal

The lipid mix was let to cool at room temperature.

Nature

In this paper, the hysteretic equations are let to be what they really are in most practical situations: just a part of the system dynamics.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

About four-fifths of lower Manhattan's office space was let to financial-services firms.

The Economist

Somerhill itself had been let to a warrener.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were let to" when you want to emphasize that permission or allowance was granted by an external party or authority. It highlights the passive recipient of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "were let to" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The prisoners were let to escape by the guards", consider "The guards let the prisoners escape" for a more concise sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "were let to" is to form the passive voice of the verb "let", indicating that the subject received permission or was allowed to perform an action. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were let to" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that permission or allowance was granted. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's commonly found in scientific literature, news articles, and general writing. While more formal alternatives like "were permitted to" or "were allowed to" exist, "were let to" serves as a versatile option across various contexts. To avoid common mistakes, ensure the passive voice is appropriate and consider more direct active voice constructions when applicable. The contexts where the phrase appears most are Science, News & Media and Wiki.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were permitted to

Replaces "let" with "permitted", a more formal synonym.

were allowed to

Uses "allowed" instead of "let", conveying a similar sense of permission.

had permission to

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize possession of permission.

were authorized to

Indicates a formal granting of power or right to do something.

were given leave to

Emphasizes the granting of permission or leave.

received authorization to

Highlights the reception of formal authorization.

were entitled to

Highlights the right or entitlement to perform an action.

were enabled to

Focuses on providing the means or ability to do something.

were empowered to

Suggests giving someone the power or authority to do something.

were given the green light to

An idiomatic expression indicating approval to proceed.

FAQs

How can I use "were let to" in a sentence?

"Were let to" indicates permission or allowance. For instance, "The students "were let to leave early"" means they were given permission to leave early.

What's a more formal alternative to "were let to"?

More formal alternatives include "were permitted to" or "were allowed to". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "was let to" ever correct instead of "were let to"?

"Was let to" is correct when referring to a singular subject. For example, "The child "was let to play outside"" is grammatically correct.

How does "were let to" differ from "were made to"?

"Were let to" implies permission, while "were made to" implies compulsion or obligation. "The children "were let to play"" suggests they were allowed to play; "The children "were made to eat"" suggests they were forced to eat.