allow it to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allow it to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when giving permission for something to function or operate as intended. Example: "Please be patient and allow it to work; the system needs a few moments to process the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

They represent the failure, for one reason or another, simply to let art be art, to honor its specialness and mysteries and allow it to work its effect.

The New York Times - Arts

Roberta Smith's belief that it is possible to present art without interpretive apparatus and simply to "allow it to work its effect" is historically and philosophically groundless.

The New York Times - Arts

"But the technology did not allow it to work to its full potential," Cavendish says.

The Guardian

Its chip volumes allow it to work out fabrication-process advances sooner than other chip vendors.

Harvard Business Review

And yesterday, Amazon said it would bring its Lambda compute tools that allow it to work on IoT devices.

TechCrunch

EIT needs "significant adjustments" to the rules that govern it, that will allow it to work more smoothly with its partners, especially businesses.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Its architecture allows it to work internally with a different frequency from the transmitter module to which it is coupled.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Wilson and Patwari say that adding a GPS receiver to each node allows it to work out its own location, which should dramatically speed up the imaging process.

MIT Technology Review

Its enormous processing power enabled it to predict a game's possible course up to 30 moves ahead, while its clever programming allowed it to work out which of the millions of possible moves would strengthen its position best.

The Economist

While Chambers, Noronha & Kubota mainly represents clients in Southern California, its reputation has allowed it to work on matters throughout the state, and in states such as Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii as well.

Los Angeles Times

While other companies have nano-liquid dispensers, Labcyte appears to be unique in its use of ultrasound, which allows it to work with smaller traces of liquid.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allow it to work", ensure that the subject performing the action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example: "Ensure sufficient power is supplied to allow it to work efficiently."

Common error

Avoid assuming that simply "allowing it to work" is sufficient. Always verify that all necessary conditions are in place (e.g., power, connectivity, resources) for the subject to function effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allow it to work" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating permission or enablement. It signifies granting the necessary conditions for something to operate or function as intended, as shown by the examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allow it to work" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that conveys granting permission or creating the conditions for something to function properly. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, maintaining a generally neutral tone. When using this phrase, be sure that the agent being permitted to work is clearly defined, and make sure that you have verified that all the necessary conditions are in place. Alternatives like "permit it to function" or "enable its operation" can be used depending on the desired level of formality or technical specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permit it to function

Replaces "allow" with "permit" and "work" with "function", maintaining a formal tone.

enable its operation

Substitutes "allow" with "enable", shifting to a more technical or mechanical context with "operation".

facilitate its functioning

Uses "facilitate" instead of "allow", suggesting a smoother or easier process of enabling work.

let it operate effectively

Emphasizes the outcome of working, adding the adverb "effectively" for clarity.

provide opportunity for it to function

Highlights the provision of an opportunity, making the phrase longer and more descriptive.

give it a chance to succeed

Focuses on the potential for success rather than the action of working, implying a positive outcome.

afford it the space to operate

Emphasizes creating space or conditions, which is different from a direct allowance or command.

clear the way for its function

Suggests removing obstacles rather than just allowing, changing the context slightly.

ensure its proper functioning

Shifts the focus to ensuring correctness and properness in how something is working, more goal oriented.

make it possible for it to operate

Uses a more verbose construction to express the possibility of operation, differing in length and emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "allow it to work" in a sentence?

You can use "allow it to work" when you want to express the idea of giving something the opportunity or permission to function as intended. For example: "We need to trust the process and "allow it to work"".

What are some alternatives to "allow it to work"?

Some alternatives to "allow it to work" include "permit it to function", "enable its operation", or "facilitate its functioning", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "allow it to work" and "let it work"?

While both phrases are similar, "allow it to work" is often seen as slightly more formal than "let it work". "Allow" implies giving formal permission, whereas "let" can be more casual.

When should I use "enable its operation" instead of "allow it to work"?

Use "enable its operation" in more technical or mechanical contexts, where you are referring to the activation or setting up a system to function. "Allow it to work" is suitable for broader situations where you are simply giving permission or the opportunity for something to function.