Grant It vs. Granted – Which is Correct?
“Grant it” is correct when grant is an imperative or present-tense verb followed by it: “Grant it to her” or “I grant it.” “Granted” is the past-tense or past-participle form of grant and can also introduce a concession: “Granted, the plan is expensive.” They are not interchangeable; choose carefully.
Grant It or Granted – Which Is Correct?
Grant it and granted are both correct, but they perform different grammatical functions. Grant it is a verb phrase consisting of the verb grant and the pronoun it. It can mean “give it,” “approve it,” or “admit it,” depending on context.
Granted is the past-tense and past-participle form of grant. It can describe something that was approved or given, as in “The request was granted.” It can also function as a sentence adverb introducing a concession, as in “Granted, the project is expensive, but it is worthwhile.”
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the action test: if someone is performing the action now or telling someone to perform it, use grant with it: “Please grant it” or “I grant it.” If the approval already happened, use granted: “The permit was granted.” When granted means “admittedly,” it usually appears at the beginning of a sentence and is followed by a comma: “Granted, the evidence is limited.”
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| grant it | Verb phrase | Give, approve, or admit something | “I grant it was a difficult decision.” |
| granted | Past tense, past participle, or sentence adverb | Approved or given; admittedly | “Granted, the deadline is tight.” |
How to Use Grant It
Grant it is used when grant acts as a verb and it refers to an object, request, permission, claim, or idea. The phrase can sound formal, especially when grant means “admit” or “concede.” In everyday conversation, speakers may use alternatives such as “allow it,” “approve it,” or “admit that.”
As an imperative, grant it tells someone to approve or allow something. As a present-tense expression, it can state that the speaker approves something or acknowledges the truth of a point.
Example 1: The committee may grant it if the applicant provides the missing documents.
Example 2: Grant it to the student once the final requirement has been completed.
Example 3: I grant it was an unusual decision, but it produced good results.
Etymology of the phrase grant it
The verb grant entered English through Anglo-French and Old French, ultimately deriving from a Germanic root associated with agreement or consent. It has long carried the meanings “to give,” “to bestow,” and “to admit.” The pronoun it is an Old English word used to refer to a previously mentioned thing, idea, or situation.
How to Use Granted
Granted has two especially common uses. First, it is the past-tense or past-participle form of grant, meaning that something was approved, awarded, given, or allowed. It often appears with a form of be: “The appeal was granted.”
Second, granted can introduce a qualification or concession. In this use, it means “admittedly” or “even though that is true.” It commonly appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause and is followed by a comma.
Example 1: The judge granted the defendant’s request for additional time.
Example 2: Her scholarship was granted after a careful review of the application.
Example 3: Granted, the route is longer, but it is safer during winter.
What are the different forms of granted?
Granted itself is not a separate verb with its own tense system; it is a form of the regular verb grant. The principal forms are grant (base form), grants (third-person singular present), granted (past tense and past participle), and granting (present participle). As a sentence adverb, granted does not change form.
Etymology of the word granted
Granted comes from the past form of grant, a verb borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-French. The concessive use developed from the idea of acknowledging or conceding a point: once something is “granted,” it is accepted as true for the purposes of the discussion.
Related Concepts
Understanding verb forms, objects, and concessive expressions makes the difference between grant it and granted easier to recognize.
- Transitive verbs: A transitive verb acts on an object. In “Grant it,” grant is the verb and it is its direct object.
- Past participles: A past participle can help form perfect or passive constructions. In “The request was granted,” granted forms part of a passive verb phrase.
- Concessive adverbs: Words such as granted, admittedly, and certainly can acknowledge one point before presenting a contrasting point.
- Imperative verbs: An imperative gives a command or instruction. “Grant it” is an imperative when the speaker directs someone to approve or allow something.
Examples from Media and Literature
The two expressions appear in different types of writing and dialogue:
- Legal reporting: News reports commonly use granted in passive constructions such as “The court granted the motion” or “The appeal was granted.”
- Historical writing: Accounts of monarchs, governments, and institutions often describe rights or charters being granted to individuals or communities.
- Drama and film dialogue: A character may say “Grant it” when demanding permission or asking another character to acknowledge a point.
- Literary argument: Authors frequently use “Granted, …” to concede an objection before developing a stronger argument.
- Everyday journalism: Opinion pieces may begin a qualification with “Granted, the policy has drawbacks,” before explaining its benefits.
Grant It Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Allow it | Permit something to happen |
| Approve it | Officially accept or authorize it |
| Permit it | Give formal or informal permission for it |
| Admit it | Acknowledge that it is true |
Granted Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Approved | Officially accepted or authorized |
| Allowed | Permitted to happen |
| Awarded | Given as a prize, benefit, or honor |
| Admittedly | Used to concede that something is true |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “grant it” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Grant it” is correct when grant is a verb followed by the object pronoun it. For example, “Please grant it” means “Please approve or allow it.”
Question 2: Is “granted” always the past tense of “grant”?
No. Granted is the past-tense and past-participle form of grant, but it can also be a sentence adverb meaning “admittedly,” as in “Granted, the proposal needs more research.”
Question 3: Should I write “grant it” or “granted” before a contrasting statement?
Use granted when conceding a point before presenting a contrast: “Granted, the cost is high, but the equipment will last.” The phrase grant it does not serve this purpose.
Conclusion
Grant it is a verb phrase meaning to give, approve, allow, or acknowledge something. Granted is the past or participle form of grant, and it can also mean “admittedly” when introducing a concession. Use the action test: choose grant it for an action or command, and granted for completed approval or a qualification. Pro Tip: Correct word choice strengthens your credibility in professional emails, reports, and formal writing.
