allow myself

USAGE SUMMARY

'allow myself' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when one is granting oneself permission to do something or is allowing oneself the freedom to choose something. For example: "I allowed myself the freedom to choose whichever college I wanted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I allow myself a wry smile.

Independent

I'll allow myself one more thing.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I do allow myself the odd chocolate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I allow myself to be held.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I usually allow myself a pavlova afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

When I travel, I allow myself to .

The New York Times

I can't allow myself to cry".

The New York Times - Health

"I don't allow myself to go there".

The New York Times - Health

I can't allow myself to feel guilty.

The Guardian

I couldn't even allow myself the luxury of fearing death.

The New York Times

I couldn't allow myself to feel sorry for myself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "allow myself" with a specific action or feeling to clarify what you are permitting yourself to do. For instance, "I allow myself to relax" or "I allow myself to feel joy".

Common error

Avoid using "allow myself" excessively in highly formal or professional writing. In those cases, consider alternatives such as "I will proceed with" or "I intend to" to maintain a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "allow myself" is to express a reflexive action, where the subject is granting permission or opportunity to themselves. Ludwig's examples illustrate this use in various contexts, showing a conscious decision to permit a specific action or feeling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allow myself" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express granting permission or freedom to oneself. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate in various contexts, primarily in news and media, and academia. While versatile, be mindful of its register and consider more formal alternatives in professional settings. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate "allow myself" into your writing to convey self-awareness and conscious choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permit myself

Emphasizes formally granting permission to oneself.

let myself

Focuses on releasing inhibitions or constraints.

enable myself

Highlights providing the means or opportunity for oneself.

give myself permission

Directly states the act of granting oneself authorization.

afford myself

Implies granting oneself something, often a luxury or privilege.

indulge in

Suggests allowing oneself a pleasurable experience.

treat myself

Implies rewarding oneself with something special.

sanction myself

Formally approves one's own actions.

entitle myself

Claims a right or justification for one's actions.

reserve the right

Highlights maintaining control over one's choices.

FAQs

How can I use "allow myself" in a sentence?

You can use "allow myself" to indicate giving yourself permission or freedom to do something. For example, "I "allow myself" a short break after working for several hours".

What are some alternatives to "allow myself"?

Alternatives include phrases like "permit myself", "let myself", or "give myself permission", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it grammatically correct to say "allow myself"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "allow myself" is widely used and accepted in English writing and speech. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What's the difference between "allow myself" and "force myself"?

"Allow myself" implies granting permission or freedom to do something, whereas "force myself" suggests compelling oneself to do something against one's will. They have opposite meanings.