The verb 'license' is commonly used with 'to' for permission to do something and 'for' for purpose or activity. Other prepositions usually add legal or contextual information.
Use 'license to' for permission to do something. Use 'license for' for a purpose or activity. 'Under', 'by', and 'in' usually introduce legal authority, the licensing body, or context rather than fixed complements.
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
Use 'to' after 'licensed' plus an infinitive.
Use 'for' with the activity, use, or category.
Use 'under' to mention the law or regulation controlling the licence.
Use 'by' for the organisation or authority issuing the licence.
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Use an infinitive after 'licensed'.
✕ The company is licensed for sell alcohol. ✓ The company is licensed to sell alcohol.Use 'by' for the authority and 'for' for the activity.
✕ The clinic is licensed for the state. ✓ The clinic is licensed by the state.'In' usually refers to a location or jurisdiction.
✕ They are licensed in operate taxis. ✓ They are licensed to operate taxis.Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
'Licensed to' is followed by a verb. 'Licensed for' is followed by a noun or activity.
Yes. It is common in legal and regulatory contexts.
Yes, when referring to a place or jurisdiction, such as 'licensed in California'.
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