were permitted to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were permitted to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was given permission to do something in the past. Example: "The students were permitted to leave early on the last day of school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Other organs & parts were permitted to degenerate.

The New Yorker

A few writers were permitted to become self-indulgent.

The New Yorker

In subsequent "seasons," girls were permitted to extend invitations themselves.

The New Yorker

Not even their parents were permitted to log on.

The New York Times

The residents were permitted to return home on Thursday afternoon.

The New York Times

At one point, candidates were permitted to question a rival.

The New York Times

"They didn't believe they were permitted to swing".

The New Yorker

Only noises of delight were permitted to be heard.

The New Yorker

The children, too, rarely were permitted to go outside.

The New York Times

In time, women were permitted to become members.

The New York Times

However, they were permitted to play in the Sugar Bowl.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If your goal is to highlight that permission had been withdrawn, consider contrasting its use with the phrase "were not permitted to" to create emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "was permitted to" when referring to a plural subject. The correct form for plural subjects is "were permitted to". For example, use "The students were permitted to leave early", not "The students was permitted to leave early".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were permitted to" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received permission or authorization to perform an action. Ludwig's examples show it being used in contexts where rules, regulations, or explicit permissions are involved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were permitted to" is a commonly used phrase indicating that someone was granted permission to do something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, especially in news and scientific writing. While it is somewhat formal, alternatives like ""were allowed to"" offer simpler options. Ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity when using this phrase to convey permission accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were allowed to

This alternative is a direct synonym, offering a simpler and more common way to express permission.

were authorized to

This alternative suggests a formal or official authorization was granted.

were given leave to

This alternative implies a formal granting of permission, often in a professional context.

had authorization to

This option emphasizes the state of possessing authorization rather than the act of permitting.

were empowered to

This implies a greater degree of agency and enablement, not just permission.

were entitled to

This alternative indicates a right or legal basis for the action.

had the right to

Similar to 'were entitled to', this emphasizes a legal or moral claim to perform the action.

were enabled to

This suggests that something was made possible, going beyond just permission.

were given the green light to

This is an idiomatic expression indicating approval to proceed.

were sanctioned to

Implies official approval or endorsement, often by an authority.

FAQs

What does "were permitted to" mean?

The phrase "were permitted to" means that someone or something was given authorization or allowed to do something. It indicates that permission was granted for a specific action or activity.

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

Use "were permitted to" to indicate that someone received permission for an action. For example, "Students "were permitted to leave early"" or "Employees "were permitted to work from home"".

What are some alternatives to "were permitted to"?

Alternatives include "were allowed to", "were authorized to", or "were given permission to". The choice depends on the formality and context of the sentence.

Is "were permitted to" formal or informal?

"Were permitted to" is generally considered neutral to formal. While it's acceptable in most contexts, "were allowed to" can be used as a slightly less formal alternative.