How to use "granted"

What Does "granted" Mean?

• Grammatical function: "Granted" primarily functions as a concessive connective (meaning "it is true that" or "admittedly") used to acknowledge a point before introducing a counter-argument. It also functions as the past participle of the verb "to grant," meaning to give, allow, or fulfill.
• Typical sentence position: When used as a connective, it is almost always initial (at the start of a sentence or clause). As a verb, it is medial.
• Register: Neutral to formal. It is common in journalistic writing, legal contexts, and academic debates.

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: As a connective, it is often followed by a comma and a full clause: "Granted, [clause]." As a verb, it follows the pattern "[Subject] granted [Indirect Object] [Direct Object]" or is used in the passive voice: "[Subject] was granted [Object]."
• Punctuation rules: When starting a sentence to signal concession, it must be followed by a comma. When used within the phrase "take for granted," no extra commas are needed around the expression itself.
• Grammatical flexibility: It is highly flexible. It can start a sentence to acknowledge a limitation ("Granted, it's expensive...") or function as a passive verb ("Access was granted"). The idiomatic phrase "take for granted" is a fixed unit.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using "granted" as a synonym for "because" or "therefore" is incorrect; it must always signal an admission or a gift/permission. Placing it at the very end of a sentence as a connective (e.g., "It is hard, granted.") is rare and usually sounds like an afterthought rather than a structured argument.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from granted on Ludwig.guru.

"Granted, emissions mitigation is a much more complex issue." — theguardian.com

"In 2010, parliament granted Nazerbayev special status as "father of the nation", giving him immunity from prosecution." — theguardian.com

"But the former NSA contractor has not been granted political asylum, which would have allowed him to stay in Russia permanently." — theguardian.com

"Last weekend's experience has shown we can't take any team for granted." — theguardian.com

"The idea of childbearing was one I had always taken for granted." — theguardian.com

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/granted

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
admittedly	Very similar to the connective "granted"; used to concede a point before a contrast.
of course	Less formal; signals that the speaker acknowledges a fact is obvious.
even though	A subordinator used to link a concession directly to a main clause.
accorded	More formal alternative to the verb "granted" (e.g., "accorded respect").
bestowed	High register; implies a gift or honor given to someone.
conceded	Specifically used when admitting a point in an argument or losing a contest.

Common Mistakes

• Missing Punctuation: Forgetting the comma after "Granted" when it starts a sentence makes the sentence harder to parse.
• Confusing Function: Learners often fail to use it at the beginning of a clause or sentence to signal concession, sometimes confusing its adverbial use with the verb 'to grant'.
• Misusing "Take for Granted": Using "take for grant" instead of the past participle "granted" in the idiomatic expression.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
granted	Concession / Verb (allow)	Neutral to Formal	Initial (connective) / Medial (verb)

FAQs

Can granted appear in both the middle and the beginning of a sentence

Yes, granted can appear in both positions depending on its grammatical role. As a concessive connective, it typically appears at the beginning of a sentence followed by a comma to acknowledge a point. When used as a verb or as part of the idiom take for granted, it usually occupies a medial position within the clause.

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How does granted differ from admittedly as a connective

While both words signal concession, granted is often used to introduce a specific fact that the speaker is yielding to an opponent. Admittedly carries a slightly more personal tone, often suggesting the speaker is confessing a weakness or a difficult truth. In many formal contexts, however, they are functionally interchangeable.

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Why is it wrong to say I grant your point at the start of a sentence

Learners often fail to use it at the beginning of a clause or sentence to signal concession, sometimes confusing its adverbial use with the verb to grant. While "I grant your point" is grammatically correct as a full sentence, using the standalone word granted is the standard way to transition into a counter-argument. Using the verb form requires a subject and object, whereas the connective form acts as a discourse marker.