I wrote in an essay: ‘We now have licence to move beyond [an idea].’ Grammarly flagged this up, saying that I should add an article before ‘licence’. Is this true, or is ‘licence’ interchangeable with ‘permission’ or ‘freedom’ in this context?
Answer
As usual, Grammerly can not think beyond the literal. Your sentence:
‘We now have license to move beyond [an idea].
is correct. From the OED: license
liberty (to do something), leave, permission. Now somewhat rare. †Also
occasionally exemption from (something). †Formerly often in licence
and leave; by, with, without (a person’s) licence; to get, give,
have, obtain, take licence.
Your usage implies permission is or has been given.
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Jennifer , Answer Author : lbf