were not permitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not permitted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was not allowed to do something in the past. Example: "The students were not permitted to leave the classroom until the bell rang."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Better that it were not permitted".

Independent

Impromptu speeches by performers were not permitted.

The New York Times - Arts

Posters and banners were not permitted.

The Guardian - Books

Male guests were not permitted past the first floor.

The New York Times

You were not permitted to undercut or to overcharge.

The Guardian - Business

Reporters were not permitted to approach the scene tonight.

The New York Times

We were not permitted to view the sender and receiver.

The Washington Post

But under the Taliban, they were not permitted to work.

The New York Times

Legally, they were not permitted to honor living wills.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Use of pharmacologic agents apart from oral contraceptives were not permitted.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Pets were not permitted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not permitted", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what authority was withholding permission. This adds clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "were not permitted" when simply describing something that did not happen. This phrase implies a specific rule or authority prevented the action, not just that it didn't occur. For example, do not use it as a synonym of expressions like "did not happen".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not permitted" functions as a passive voice construction indicating prohibition or lack of authorization. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates that someone or something was disallowed from performing a specific action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

32%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were not permitted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote prohibition or lack of authorization. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for formal contexts like news reporting, scientific writing, and legal documents. While alternatives like "were not allowed" exist, "were not permitted" offers a slightly more formal tone. The examples provided highlight its widespread application in various scenarios, from restrictions on journalists to regulations in scientific studies. Ensure clarity in usage by specifying the source or authority imposing the restriction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were prohibited

This alternative is very similar, directly replacing "permitted" with "prohibited" to indicate a ban.

were disallowed

This alternative substitutes "permitted" with "disallowed", emphasizing a denial of permission.

were forbidden

Similar to "prohibited", this emphasizes a stronger, more formal ban.

were not allowed

This is a more common and slightly less formal way of saying "were not permitted".

were unauthorized

This suggests that the action lacked official approval or sanction.

were restricted

This indicates that there were limitations or constraints placed upon the action.

were out of bounds

This idiom suggests the action was beyond acceptable limits.

were off-limits

Similar to "out of bounds", this implies a specific prohibition.

were precluded

This suggests that something prevented the action from occurring.

were not entitled

This implies a lack of right or qualification to perform the action.

FAQs

How can I use "were not permitted" in a sentence?

Use "were not permitted" to indicate that someone or something was disallowed or lacked authorization to do something. For example: "Reporters "were not permitted" to approach the scene".

What's a less formal way to say "were not permitted"?

A less formal alternative to "were not permitted" is "were not allowed". Both phrases express a lack of permission, but "were not allowed" is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Are "were not permitted" and "were forbidden" interchangeable?

While similar, "were forbidden" carries a stronger connotation of prohibition than "were not permitted". "Forbidden" often implies a stricter rule or law, whereas "permitted" suggests a more general lack of approval.

In what contexts is "were not permitted" commonly used?

"Were not permitted" is frequently used in news reports, legal documents, and academic writing to describe restrictions or prohibitions. It is suitable for formal and neutral registers.