Granted

The most common way to use Granted is at the very beginning of a sentence. You state the thing you agree with, followed by a comma. Then, you launch into your real point, often starting with but or however. For example: "Granted, the movie has amazing special effects, but the plot is incredibly boring." You can also drop it into the middle of a sentence for a more conversational feel. Like this: "The restaurant is, granted, a bit expensive, but the food is worth every penny." It feels a little less formal this way. Just don't overdo it, or you'll sound like you're constantly interrupting yourself. It’s a tool for emphasis, not a verbal tic.

Granted lives in a pretty flexible neighborhood, formality-wise. It's perfectly at home in a C1-level academic essay or a professional email. In these cases, it makes you sound thoughtful and well-reasoned. Example: "Granted, our initial data was limited, however, the new results support our hypothesis." But it’s also cool enough for a casual chat with friends. You might say, "Granted, it's raining, but I still want to get ice cream." In very informal texting, it might feel a bit stiff. Your friends might look at you funny if you text, "granted, that meme is old," instead of just, "lol true but it's still funny." So, use it when you're making a point, not just for casual banter.

• Replying to a comment on your travel vlog: "Granted, I probably should have booked my train ticket earlier, but the chaos made for a great story!"
• On a Zoom call with your team: "Granted, the deadline is tight, but if we divide the work this way, we can definitely manage it."
• Texting your roommate: "Granted, you did the dishes yesterday, but that was before your friends came over and used every cup in the house."
• Writing a product review online: "The phone's battery life, granted, is not the best. However, its camera quality is unbeatable for the price."
• Talking about a new Netflix show: "Granted, the first episode is a little slow. You have to stick with it until episode three, that's when it gets amazing."

Use Granted when you want to make a concession that strengthens your overall position. It's perfect for debates, discussions, and reviews. It signals that you are a balanced and rational thinker. Use it when you anticipate an objection from your listener. By saying Granted first, you're telling them, "I've already thought of that, and here's why it doesn't change my mind." It's a pro move in any argument. Think of it as a bridge connecting a known fact to your new, more important opinion. It tells your audience you're moving from one idea to the next.

Don't use Granted for facts that nobody would argue with. It would be weird to say, "Granted, the sky is blue..." Well, duh. It also loses its power if you use it for your main point. It’s for conceding the *other* side's point, not your own. For example, don't say: "Granted, this is the best solution." You're not conceding anything there! Also, avoid it in super emotional conversations. If your friend is upset, saying, "Granted, you have a right to be sad, but..." can sound dismissive and cold. Sometimes, you just need to listen without making a counter-point. It’s not a get-out-of-jail-free card for winning every single discussion.

One common slip-up is using it to agree with something without adding a contrast.

Another mistake is misplacing it in a sentence, which can make things clunky.

Also, don't confuse it with Taken for granted, which means to not appreciate something.

There are many ways to say this, each with a slightly different flavor.

• Admittedly...: This is a very close synonym. It sounds a little more like you're confessing something. "Admittedly, I haven't finished the report yet."
• Fair enough...: This is more informal and conversational. It means, "Okay, that's a valid point." Often used on its own.
• I'll give you that.: Very casual, like you're handing over a point in a game. "The coffee here is terrible." "I'll give you that."
• Of course...: This can be used similarly, to state an obvious fact before a but. "Of course, we all want to finish early, but we can't rush this."
• True...: A super simple, text-friendly version. "True, he's not the best candidate, but he's the only one who applied."

Is Granted formal or informal?

It’s a bit of a chameleon. It's formal enough for essays and business, but relaxed enough for a discussion with friends. Just maybe not for your most casual TikTok comments.

Can I use it without 'but' or 'however'?

Yes, but it's less common. The contrast is usually implied. For example: "Granted, it's a difficult task. We'll need to be creative." Here, the contrast is the implied need for creativity.

Where does the word come from?

It comes from the verb 'to grant', which means to give or allow something. When you say Granted, you are 'allowing' a point to be true.