allow for doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'allow for doing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which something makes an activity or task possible. For example: The flexible work schedule allowed for doing everything we wanted to in the evening.

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And it did not allow for payments done by extracting cells from bone marrow.

The New York Times - Health

Compassionate conservation allows for--but does not prescriptively dictate--outcomes in which the interests of others supersede those of humans.

Huffington Post

Does your budget allow for gifts, or do you plan to borrow to buy presents?

The New York Times

Science does not allow for magic, but it does allow for healing cosmetics.

The New York Times - Science

Mexico does not allow for half measures, and does not admit that we remain unscathed.

Huffington Post

If headphones allow for more introspection, do headphone users favor introspective sounds?

The New Yorker

Well, the scheme allows for that, does it not?

The New York Times

"Obviously that was a horrible process – it didn't really allow for iteration, and it didn't allow for quality.

The Guardian - Tech

Netball does allow for mixed teams, but the Olympics did not include mixed sex team sports.

Wikipedia

Roth Individual Retirement Accounts do not allow for tax-deductible contributions but do allow for tax-free withdrawals in retirement.

WikiHow

If the budget doesn't allow for the fancy, technical gear, don't sweat it.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allow for doing", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being made possible. This phrase is most effective when the action being allowed is explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "allow for doing" in vague situations where the specific action is unclear. Be precise about what the allowance entails to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allow for doing" functions as a verb phrase indicating the enabling or facilitation of an action. This is consistent with Ludwig AI’s assessment that the phrase describes a situation making an activity possible.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

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Social Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allow for doing" is a grammatically correct way to express that something makes an action possible. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its utility in describing enabling situations. Although examples are currently limited, the phrase is versatile enough for both formal and informal use, with a neutral register. Remember to be specific about the action being enabled to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "permit the execution of" or "make possible to do" can be used for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave room for doing

Shifts the focus to creating space or flexibility for an action.

make possible to do

Rephrases the sentence structure to focus on possibility rather than permission.

provide the opportunity to do

Focuses on offering an opportunity rather than direct permission.

permit the execution of

Replaces 'allow' with 'permit' and uses a more formal and explicit term 'execution' for 'doing'.

create conditions for doing

Highlights the establishment of necessary circumstances for an activity.

accommodate the act of doing

Emphasizes the aspect of making space or adapting to 'the act of doing'.

enable the performance of

Substitutes 'allow' with 'enable' and 'doing' with 'performance', adding a sense of capability.

open the door to doing

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate enabling or permitting an action.

afford the ability to do

Focuses on providing the capacity or skill to perform an action.

facilitate the undertaking of

Uses more formal synonyms 'facilitate' and 'undertaking' for 'allow' and 'doing' respectively.

FAQs

How can I use "allow for doing" in a sentence?

You can use "allow for doing" to indicate that something makes an action or task possible. For example, "The flexible schedule "allowed for doing" everything we wanted in the evening".

What can I say instead of "allow for doing"?

Alternatives include "permit the execution of", "make possible to do", or "provide the opportunity to do", depending on the context.

Is "allow for doing" formal or informal?

"Allow for doing" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in professional or neutral settings. More formal alternatives might be preferred in highly academic or official documents.

What's the difference between "allow for doing" and "allow to do"?

"Allow for doing" typically implies making a condition or situation possible, while "allow to do" suggests granting permission. For instance, "The new policy allows for flexible working hours" (makes it possible), versus "My manager allows me to work from home" (grants permission).