would have permitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have permitted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation in the past where permission could have been granted under certain conditions. Example: "If the circumstances had been different, it would have permitted us to proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Its definition of torture would have permitted pulling out fingernails and burning with hot irons.

The Economist

Legislation that would have permitted the northeastern region greater control of tax collection was also rejected.

Independent

In Michigan, a Republican governor vetoed legislation that would have permitted concealed weapons in schools.

The New York Times

Sharkey freely admits that his amendment probably contained more details than the government would have permitted.

The Guardian - Money

It would have permitted workers to negotiate wages but not pensions or healthcare benefits.

The Guardian

Last October, Christian conservatives mobilized to defeat a referendum that would have permitted a state lottery.

The New York Times

Consecutive sentencing would have permitted a term of 15 to 40 years.

The New York Times

Only a leader of Washington's self-assurance would have permitted Hamilton and Jefferson their street brawl.

The New York Times

Hamilton said he would have permitted himself to cry after the race, but he could not.

The New York Times - Sports

Hamas also rejected an Egyptian reconciliation agreement, signed by Fatah, that would have permitted elections this July.

The Economist

A Romanian parliamentary commission has rejected a bill that would have permitted Europe's biggest open gold mine.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would have permitted" to discuss hypothetical past scenarios where permission or allowance was a key factor. For instance, "The new regulations would have permitted smaller businesses to compete."

Common error

Avoid using "would have permitted" when a simple past tense construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The old rules would have permitted this action," if the rules actually did permit it, use "The old rules permitted this action."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have permitted" functions as a modal verb construction expressing a hypothetical permission or allowance in the past. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would have permitted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to express a hypothetical allowance or authorization in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating its versatile nature across different registers. When writing, ensure the context clearly reflects the hypothetical nature and consider synonyms like "would have allowed" or "could have permitted" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would have allowed

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing "permitted" with "allowed" for similar meaning.

could have permitted

This uses "could" instead of "would", indicating possibility rather than certainty.

would have let

A more informal synonym, replacing "permitted" with "let" for similar meaning.

might have permitted

This suggests a lower probability than "would have permitted".

would have enabled

This suggests that something would have made it possible, emphasizing capability rather than permission.

would have authorized

This implies a more formal approval or sanction.

would have sanctioned

Similar to "authorized", suggesting official approval.

would have given consent for

Emphasizes the granting of agreement or approval.

would have given leave to

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

had the power to permit

Focuses on the capability or authority to grant permission.

FAQs

How can I use "would have permitted" in a sentence?

Use "would have permitted" to describe a past situation where something could have been allowed or authorized, but wasn't, or to describe the hypothetical result of an action. For example, "If the law had passed, it "would have permitted" the construction of new buildings."

What are some alternatives to "would have permitted"?

Alternatives include "would have allowed", "would have enabled", or "could have permitted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "would have permitted" and "would have allowed"?

"Would have permitted" and "would have allowed" are largely interchangeable. "Permitted" is often seen as slightly more formal than "allowed", but the meaning remains essentially the same.

Is it correct to use "would have permitted" in formal writing?

Yes, "would have permitted" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It is grammatically correct and widely understood. Just ensure the context clearly indicates the hypothetical nature of the permission.