allowance

USAGE SUMMARY

"allowance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to money given to compensate for expenses or to refer to an amount given as a privilege. Example sentence: My parents give me an allowance every week to cover my expenses.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a speech setting out the government package to deter so-called benefit tourism, Cameron will say EU migrants can only continue to claim jobseekers allowance if they have been continuously actively seeking work and have a realistic imminent prospect of finding a job.

The Guardian

Downing Street also struggled as it emerged that: Of the two million net migrants to the UK from the eight eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004, just 13,000 people have claimed jobseeker's allowance (JSA).

The Guardian

At the same time, the cost of renting and the overall cost of living has vastly outstripped the annual rise in student loan allowance.

The Guardian

The new cap applies to anyone receiving an out-of-work benefit, including jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance, which is paid to people with disabilities.

The Guardian

"The new allowance will offer savers the ability to shop around and simply use the very best savings rates they can find – this could well be a combination of Isas and non-Isas, including high interest current accounts.

The Guardian - Money

The lowering of the FTB B income threshold for the primary earner is estimated to save $1.2bn over four years, while cutting youth allowance to students travelling overseas, unless it's for study or a family crisis, will save $153.1m over five years, according to the budget papers.

The Guardian

Part of it stems from a belief that Britain has been overrun with the "wrong" immigrants, such as welfare tourists who come here for child benefit and jobseeker's allowance, not to help our economy to grow.

The Guardian - Opinion

As an example of how it might work, someone who earns £20,000 a year and also received £250 in savings interest will not have to pay tax on the latter sum as it is well within their £1,000 savings allowance.

The Guardian - Money

The Liberal Democrat leader said the Tories' plan to raise the personal allowance to £12,500 and increase the 40p rate threshold to £50,000 by 2020 would cost £7bn.

The Guardian

The new employment allowance in 2014, though, is a good idea but too little, too late on the day the ONS [Office for National Statistics] revealed that real earnings are falling at around 2% per annum.

The Guardian

Duncan Smith was asked by Andrew Marr to address a leaked document obtained by the BBC on Friday that appeared to suggest his Department for Work and Pensions was considering changes to industrial injuries compensation, child benefit, the carer's allowance and disability benefits.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. "Allowance" can refer to a sum of money or a permissible deviation. Ensure clarity to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

The term "allowance" is singular and refers to a single instance or type of permitted amount. "Allowances" is plural and refers to multiple instances or types. Use the appropriate form based on whether you are discussing one or several allowances.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "allowance" is as a noun. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to a sum of money or a degree of tolerance. Ludwig AI states the word is correct and provides examples illustrating its use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allowance" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a sum of money given regularly or a permissible deviation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and very common, especially in news and formal contexts. When writing, ensure clarity by using alternative terms like "stipend", "grant", or "benefit" depending on the specific context. Avoid confusing the singular "allowance" with the plural "allowances" and note that its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Be precise about the intended meaning of the word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stipend

Refers more specifically to a fixed sum of money paid periodically for services or to cover expenses.

subsidy

Implies financial assistance, often from a government, to support an industry or activity.

allocation

Focuses on the act of distributing or setting aside a portion of something, often resources or funds.

allotment

Suggests a share or portion assigned to someone, often in a limited or controlled manner.

grant

Indicates a sum of money given for a particular purpose, often by a government or organization.

benefit

A broader term referring to any advantage or payment received, often from a government or employer.

entitlement

Implies a right to receive something, often a payment or benefit, based on specific criteria.

remittance

Specifically refers to money sent to another person or place, often for support or payment.

pocket money

Specifically refers to a small amount of money given to a child, usually on a regular basis.

financial aid

General support in form of money, often provided by the government.

FAQs

How is "allowance" typically used in a sentence?

The term "allowance" is commonly used to refer to a sum of money given regularly, such as a child's "pocket money" or a living allowance. It can also refer to a permissible amount or deviation.

What are some synonyms for "allowance" in the context of financial support?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "allowance" include "stipend", "grant", "subsidy", "allocation", or "benefit".

When should I use "allowance" versus "benefits"?

"Allowance" typically refers to a specific amount given for a particular purpose, while "benefits" generally refers to a broader range of assistance, such as government "welfare payments" or employee benefits. Choose the word that accurately reflects the scope of the support being discussed.

Can "allowance" refer to something other than money?

Yes, "allowance" can also refer to a permissible deviation or tolerance. For example, an engineer might speak of the "allowance" for error in a calculation. However, in common parlance, it most often refers to money.