allow the use of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allow the use of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the permission to use something. For example: "The manager allowed the use of the company car for the sales meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The fifth agreed to allow the use of her name.

The New York Times

Alternatively, secondary mirrors allow the use of other viewing arrangements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The F.D.A. could allow the use of unproven drugs as experiments.

The New York Times

Countries including Australia, New Zealand and Nepal already allow the use of the X gender indicator.

The Guardian

Voters approved a measure to allow the use of marijuana for medical reasons.

The New York Times

At our championships, we don't allow the use of a cart for caddies or spectators.

The New York Times - Sports

For one thing, the new engines allow the use of shorter runways.

The New York Times

The guidelines allow the use of deadly force to protect one's life, Mr. Green said.

The New York Times

Allow the use of the internet and collaboration during an examination.

The Guardian

And it will allow the use of much less-powerful aerials on the ground.

The Economist

They voted to allow the use of hybrid human-animal embryos in research.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allow the use of", ensure the context clearly specifies what is being allowed and under what conditions to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The new policy will allow the use of personal devices for educational purposes during designated hours."

Common error

Avoid using "allow the use of" without clearly defining the limitations or boundaries of the permission. Be specific about what is included and excluded to prevent unintended interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allow the use of" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a clause specifying permission or authorization for utilizing something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It commonly precedes a noun phrase that indicates the object or resource being utilized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allow the use of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates permission or authorization for utilizing something. As noted by Ludwig, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and business, maintaining a neutral register. While alternatives like "permit the utilization of" or "enable the application of" exist, each carries nuanced differences. When employing "allow the use of", clarity regarding the scope and limitations of permission is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grant permission for the use of

Explicitly states the granting of permission, adding emphasis to the act of allowing.

permit the utilization of

Replaces "use" with "utilization", implying a more formal or technical context.

authorize the employment of

Substitutes "allow" with "authorize" and "use" with "employment", suggesting official approval for a specific purpose.

make it possible to use

Emphasizes the creation of possibility rather than direct permission.

enable the application of

Focuses on enabling or making something applicable, rather than directly permitting its use.

provide the opportunity to utilize

Focuses on offering an opportunity for use, implying a benefit or advantage.

give access to the usage of

Highlights the provision of access or the ability to use something.

sanction the implementation of

Implies a formal endorsement or approval, often in the context of rules or regulations.

facilitate the employment of

Highlights the act of making something easier to use or implement.

legitimize the practice of

Suggests making a practice or activity lawful or acceptable.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "allow the use of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "permit the utilization of" or "authorize the employment of". These alternatives convey a sense of official approval or enablement.

What's a simpler way to say "allow the use of"?

A simpler alternative is "permit the use of". It maintains a similar meaning while being more concise.

Is there a difference between "allow the use of" and "enables the use of"?

While similar, "allow the use of" implies granting permission, whereas "enables the use of" suggests providing the means or opportunity. "Allow" focuses on permission, and "enable" focuses on capability.

When is it appropriate to use "allow the use of" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate that something is permitted or authorized. For example, "The software license will "allow the use of" the application on multiple devices."