allow

allow — verb

1. to say that a person may do a particular action, or to choose not to stop an eve

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to say that a person may do a particular action, or to choose not to stop an event when you have the power to.

Example

Mrs. Lin allows her students to use dictionaries during the writing test.

allow + somebody + to-infinitive

Smoking is not allowed inside the train station.

passive: be allowed (typical for rules and signs)

Common collocations
  • allow access
  • allow entry
  • allow time off
  • strictly allowed
  • not allowed
Synonyms
  • permit

    more formal; common on signs and in legal or written rules

  • let

    more casual; takes a bare infinitive (let her go, not let her to go)

  • authorize

    official permission, usually from someone in power

Antonyms
  • forbid

    strong refusal of permission

  • prohibit

    formal; common in rules and notices

  • ban

    official, often public; usually about a whole activity

Grammar Patterns

allow + somebody + to-infinitive

allow + -ing verb

allow + somebody + something

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 2: this sense always involves a person or rule giving permission, while sense 2 is about something making an outcome possible. The pattern 'allow + somebody + to-infinitive' is the most frequent shape; the bare-infinitive shape used with 'let' is wrong here.

Common Mistakes

My mom allows me go out tonight.
My mom allows me to go out tonight.
'allow' needs 'to' before the verb; only 'let' takes a bare infinitive.
The teacher let me to leave early.' (with 'let')
The teacher allowed me to leave early.
if you want the 'to' pattern, switch the verb to 'allow' or 'permit'.
They don't allow to smoke here.
They don't allow smoking here.' OR 'Smoking is not allowed here.
without a named person, use the -ing form or the passive.

2. to make it possible for a person or thing to do something, or for something to h

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to make it possible for a person or thing to do something, or for something to happen, often by removing a barrier — for example, a wide window allows light into a room, or a tax cut allows families to save more.

Example

The big windows in Farouk's kitchen allow plenty of sunlight to come in.

allow + something + to-infinitive (cause/enable)

A strong Wi-Fi signal allows hundreds of people to work from the cafe.

subject is a thing, not a person

Common collocations
  • allow access to
  • allow movement
  • allow growth
  • allow communication
Synonyms
  • enable

    very close in meaning; slightly more formal and often used in technology contexts

  • permit

    can mean 'make possible' but sounds formal in this sense

Antonyms
  • prevent

    stop something from being possible

Grammar Patterns

allow + somebody/something + to-infinitive

allow + noun phrase

Usage Note

Subject is usually a thing, system, or condition rather than a person. Distinguish from sense 1: nobody is granting permission here — the subject simply makes the action possible. Often paired with abstract nouns (access, growth, movement, communication).

Common Mistakes

The map allows finding the museum easily.
The map allows you to find the museum easily.
when the subject is a thing, learners often forget the human object before 'to'.

3. to plan or set aside enough of something — usually time, money, or space — so th

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to plan or set aside enough of something — usually time, money, or space — so that you have what you need for a particular purpose.

Example

Allow at least two hours for the drive from Taipei to Hualien on Sunday.

allow + amount + for + noun (planning time)

Sofia allowed an extra fifty dollars in her budget for souvenirs.

allow + amount + in + noun (planning money)

Common collocations
  • allow extra time
  • allow plenty of room
  • allow a margin
  • allow for delays
Synonyms
  • set aside

    everyday phrasal verb; very natural in spoken English

  • budget

    specifically for money or time, often as a verb

  • reserve

    more formal; can apply to seats, rooms, or amounts

Grammar Patterns

allow + amount + for + noun

allow + amount + of + noun

Usage Note

Object is almost always a measurable amount (time, money, space, weight). Frequently paired with 'for' to introduce the purpose. Distinguish from sense 1: no permission is involved — you are simply planning ahead.

Common Mistakes

I allowed to buy some snacks in my budget.
I allowed some money for snacks in my budget.
this sense takes a quantity as its object, not a to-infinitive.
Phrasal verbs

allow for

phrasal verb

to take something into account when planning, so that the plan still works if that thing happens.

When booking the flight, Daniel allowed for a two-hour delay at the airport.

The builders must allow for heavy rain when they pour the concrete next week.

allow of

phrasal verb

To make something possible or to permit something to happen.

The situation allows of only one solution.

This rule allows of no exceptions in our school.

Idioms

allow me

idiom

A polite way to offer help or do something for someone.

Allow me to open the door for you, Mrs. Chen.

He said, 'Allow me,' and carried the heavy box upstairs.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs share the idea of giving permission, but they differ in register and grammar. 'Let' is the most casual and follows a bare infinitive — 'Let me go' — and is the form children and friends use with each other. 'Allow' is the everyday neutral choice and takes 'to' before the verb — 'They allow visitors to take photos.' 'Permit' sounds more formal and often appears on signs, in policies, and in legal writing — 'No pets are permitted in the lobby.' 'Authorize' goes further: it implies official approval from someone with the power to grant it, like a manager or a government office — 'The mayor authorized the road repairs.' A simple test: a parent lets a child stay up late, a teacher allows a student to leave early, a hotel permits no smoking, and a court authorizes a search.

allow ↗permit ↗let ↗authorize ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • not allowed
  • be kindly allowed to
  • allow yourself to

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Allow' came into English in the 1300s from Old French 'alouer', which itself blended two different Latin roots: 'allaudare' (to praise or approve) and 'allocare' (to place or assign). For centuries the word carried both meanings — to approve of something AND to set aside a portion for someone — and modern English still keeps both senses alive: we allow somebody to do something (approval) and we allow extra time for a trip (assigning a portion).