allow him to play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allow him to play" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when giving permission or granting the opportunity for someone to engage in an activity, in this case, playing. Example: "After finishing his homework, I decided to allow him to play outside with his friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They didn't allow him to play tonight".

The New York Times - Sports

"There were no stages that would allow him to play".

The New York Times

That would then allow him to play for another team as a free agent.

The New York Times

If you had a son, would you allow him to play football?

The New York Times

The decision Friday will allow him to play Sunday against the Indiana Pacers.

The New York Times - Sports

Garciaparra's versatility could allow him to play every day while giving other players a rest.

The New York Times

It will allow him to play next year's United States Open without qualifying.

The New York Times - Sports

We allow him to play one day a week, so Sunday morning is like Christmas for him.

The New York Times

A critical factor, he said, was Coach Gregg Popovich's recent decision to allow him to play the entire first quarter.

The New York Times

He plans to graduate this summer, which would allow him to play without sitting out a year.

The New York Times - Sports

His probable appeal of the suspension will allow him to play again until his case is heard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allow him to play", consider the level of formality required by the context. "Let him play" is more informal, while "permit him to play" is more formal. For professional environment avoid using slang or informal alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "allow him to play" in contexts where a stronger, more directive verb is needed. For instance, in a crisis situation, "order him to play" might be more appropriate than "allow him to play".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allow him to play" functions as a verb phrase expressing permission or the granting of an opportunity. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable in written English. It highlights how someone is given the chance to engage in a particular activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allow him to play" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate permission or the provision of an opportunity for someone to participate in an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and used across a variety of contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Common contexts include news and media, academic writing, and general discussions. When writing, it's important to choose the appropriate level of formality and to be mindful of alternative phrases that might better suit the specific context, such as "permit him to participate" or "let him play".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let him play

Uses the more informal "let" instead of "allow".

permit him to participate

Uses "permit" instead of "allow" and "participate" instead of "play", indicating a more formal context.

give him permission to play

Replaces "allow" with the explicit phrase "give him permission", making it more direct.

enable him to participate

Emphasizes the act of making it possible for him to play, using "enable" instead of granting explicit permission.

make it possible for him to play

Focuses on removing obstacles to allow him to play.

grant him the opportunity to play

Focuses on providing the chance or occasion to play.

authorize his participation

A more formal way of saying allow using a noun phrase.

approve his playing

Uses "approve" to indicate agreement or endorsement of his playing.

give him the green light to play

An idiomatic expression that means to give approval or permission.

sanction his participation

Suggests a formal endorsement or authorization for him to play.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "allow him to play"?

You can use alternatives like "permit him to participate", "give him permission to play", or "let him play" depending on the context.

How to use "allow him to play" in a sentence?

You can use "allow him to play" to indicate permission or opportunity. For example, "The coach decided to allow him to play in the second half."

Which is correct, "allow him to play" or "allows him to play"?

"Allow him to play" is typically used in questions or conditional statements, while "allows him to play" is used when describing a general ability or permission. For example, "Will they allow him to play?" versus "His new contract allows him to play for another team".

What's the difference between "allow him to play" and "enable him to play"?

"Allow him to play" implies giving permission, while "enable him to play" suggests providing the means or resources necessary for him to play. They can be used in similar situations, however they focus on different nuances.