allow something to happen

USAGE SUMMARY

"allow something to happen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe giving permission for an event or activity to occur. For example: "The teacher allowed the students to have a pizza party as a reward for their excellent work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Andy Deane, a Delta pilot, said in a telephone interview that "there is a presumption on my part that male passengers will not sit in their seats and just allow something to happen and be passive about it".

The New York Times

Jon Eisenberg, representing several Guantanamo detainees, said that his clients were being fed before it was medically necessary and that force-feeding "perpetuates indefinite detention". Though he admitted he was asking the panel to allow something to happen that could ultimately result in death, he said it was the constitutional right of detainees to engage in a hunger strike.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the government has previously acknowledged, "the welfare of children cannot always be adequately protected by concern for the interests of the adults involved". There is an unhealthy seam of rampant individualism at the heart of this bill, rooted in a consumerist mentality where the science that allows something to happen is transformed into the right to have it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lili explains: I was very determined to make sure I could do absolutely anything within my power to not allow any, something to happen to the baby.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

It takes a great deal of courage for a young director to make a movie without action; it takes even greater courage to allow something momentous to happen.

The New Yorker

Government and wider society need to be in tune with the struggles of my generation and our experience of "multicultural" Britain, before we allow something dramatic to happen to shake us out of our complacency.

The Guardian - Opinion

The '/' denoting the confusion stirred up amongst us morons by all those clever lawyers working so tirelessly to protect their brands that they nod off and allow something daft to happen.

Independent

Whichever conclusion you reach, one thing that is beyond debate is that Arsenal cannot allow something similar to happen tonight.

The Guardian - Sport

This will allow something better to happen.

Los Angeles Times

Allow these elements to simmer for as long as it takes for something to happen.

WikiHow

I needed something to happen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "allow something to happen" to indicate a conscious decision not to prevent an event, rather than actively causing it. This is especially relevant in ethical or decision-making contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "allow something to happen" when you mean to describe active encouragement or causation. This phrase implies permission, not instigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allow something to happen" functions as a verb phrase indicating permission or non-interference with an event. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. This implies a decision not to prevent a certain outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allow something to happen" is a versatile phrase used to express the act of permitting or not preventing an event. As Ludwig AI states, its usage is grammatically correct and common across diverse contexts. The phrase finds frequent application in news and media, scientific discussions, and academic analyses, indicating a neutral register. While alternatives like "permit something to occur" or "enable something to take place" exist, "allow something to happen" maintains a balance between formality and accessibility. To ensure clarity in writing, always specify who or what is doing the allowing, and avoid using the phrase when describing active causation rather than passive permission.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permit something to occur

Replaces "happen" with "occur", which is a slightly more formal synonym.

enable something to take place

Substitutes "allow" with "enable" emphasizing facilitation, and "happen" with "take place", making it more formal.

let something unfold

Replaces "allow something to happen" with a more passive and descriptive expression suggesting a natural progression.

facilitate something's occurrence

Uses a more formal and concise structure, focusing on the act of facilitation.

make way for something

Implies clearing obstacles or creating opportunities for an event to happen.

give rise to something

Indicates that something is caused or initiated, rather than merely permitted.

open the door for something

Suggests creating an opportunity or possibility.

pave the way for something

Implies preparing a situation to make something easier or more likely to occur.

clear the path for something

Similar to "pave the way", but with a stronger sense of removing obstacles.

leave room for something

Suggests that there is capacity or opportunity for something.

FAQs

What does "allow something to happen" mean?

The phrase "allow something to happen" means to permit or not prevent an event or situation from occurring. It implies a lack of active intervention to stop it.

How can I use "allow something to happen" in a sentence?

You can use "allow something to happen" in a sentence like this: "The security guard decided to "allow something to happen" rather than intervening in the peaceful protest."

What are some alternatives to "allow something to happen"?

You can use alternatives like "permit something to occur", "enable something to take place", or "let something unfold" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "allow something to happen"?

It's appropriate to use "allow something to happen" when you want to express that you are consciously choosing not to prevent an event, often implying acceptance or resignation to the situation.