allow not to

USAGE SUMMARY

"allow not to" is not correct and should not be used in written English.
Instead, use the phrasing “do not allow” or “do not allow for”. For example, "The school principal does not allow for any loud noises in the hallways."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I think we've seen other news organisations retreat from the international field and we've been determined as much as resources allow not to do that".

The Guardian

Another limitation of the study is the lack of a control group (i.e., untreated patients), but no ethics committee would allow not to treat structured and progressive scoliosis ranging from 25 to 40° Cobb at 10 12 years of age.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They are allowed not to.

The Guardian

Consider whether or not to allow geolocation.

WikiHow

We will not allow this to happen.

The Economist

"Do not allow this to happen again".

The New York Times

(He would not allow Perea to comment).

The New York Times - Sports

They should not allow this to happen".

The New York Times

We will not allow that to happen".

BBC

"I will not allow that to happen".

BBC

I will not allow this to happen.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing prohibition, use the standard negative construction "do not allow" or alternatives like "forbid" and "prohibit" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "allow not to" as it is grammatically incorrect. Ensure your sentences follow standard English negation patterns for clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allow not to" functions as an attempt to negate the verb "allow", but it does so incorrectly. According to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is not correct and should not be used in written English. The correct way to express this negation is by using "do not allow".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allow not to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in favor of "do not allow" or other suitable alternatives such as "forbid" or "prohibit". Ludwig AI confirms that "allow not to" is incorrect and suggests using more standard phrasing. The frequency of this phrase is rare, and while it appears in various contexts, its incorrect grammar makes it unsuitable for formal or professional communication. Always opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not allow

Reverses the structure to use a standard negative imperative form, making it grammatically correct.

refuse to allow

Emphasizes the act of actively rejecting the possibility of something.

not permit

Substitutes 'allow' with 'permit' and uses a standard negative construction.

forbid

Replaces 'allow not to' with a single word that directly expresses prohibition.

prohibit

Similar to 'forbid', this word directly conveys the action of disallowing something.

do not enable

Uses 'enable' instead of 'allow' to focus on preventing something from being possible.

not give leave to

A more formal way of saying 'not allow', using 'leave' to indicate permission.

not authorize

Replaces 'allow' with 'authorize', indicating a lack of official permission.

reject the idea of allowing

Specifically rejects the allowance of something, offering a more descriptive and emphatic alternative.

disapprove of

Focuses on expressing a negative opinion or lack of support, which implies not allowing something.

FAQs

How can I correctly express the opposite of "allow" in a sentence?

Use phrases like "do not allow", "forbid", or "prohibit" to clearly indicate that something is not permitted.

Is "allow not to" grammatically correct?

No, "allow not to" is not grammatically correct in standard English. Use "do not allow" instead.

What are some formal alternatives to "allow" when you want to express disapproval?

Formal alternatives include "not authorize", "disapprove of", or "not give leave to" to convey a more serious tone.

How can I emphasize a strong rejection of permission using alternatives to "allow"?

Use phrases like "refuse to allow" or "reject the idea of allowing" to show a firm stance against granting permission.