allowed a little

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed a little" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permissions or allowances in a context where something is permitted to a small extent. Example: "The teacher allowed a little extra time for the students to complete their assignments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But couldn't we at least be allowed a little smile?

The Guardian - Money

Only in recent weeks has it allowed a little renminbi appreciation.

The New York Times

These gaffes could have been avoided had Nash been allowed a little more time to develop.

The New Yorker

Those supporters might have been forgiven if they had allowed a little insecurity to creep in.

The Guardian - Sport

But the scale that manufacturers started growing to allowed a little bit more automation".

The Guardian

Fortunately, we were also in the fantasy class, so we were allowed a little poetic license.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Now, Congress has put her in a financial hole because it has allowed a little-known tax, intended to make sure that the rich cannot escape taxes entirely, to hit the middle class as well.

The New York Times

Perhaps allowing a little authenticity has worked for her.

The Guardian

Playing chess with Iran ReprintsAll states allow a little room for expression for car owners.

The Economist

Allowing a little kindness in prison can go a long way.

The Guardian

They love the training, the discipline and competitions that allow a little leeway.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "allowed a little" when indicating that a minor exception or deviation from a rule or standard is permitted.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "allowed a little" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "permitted a slight adjustment" or "granted a limited exception" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed a little" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of granting or permitting something to a small degree. Ludwig highlights its correct usage across various contexts, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "allowed a little" is a versatile way to express limited permission or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is grammatically correct and frequently used across various media and news contexts. Remember to consider the context and audience when using this phrase, opting for more formal alternatives like "permitted a slight deviation" in academic or highly professional settings. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "allowed a little" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Granted a bit

Uses "granted" instead of "allowed", emphasizing the act of bestowing permission; "bit" replaces "little" to convey a slightly more informal tone.

Permitted a small amount

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted", a more formal synonym, and specifies "small amount" instead of "little" for increased clarity.

Tolerated slightly

Shifts the focus to acceptance rather than active permission, suggesting a passive allowance of something to a small degree.

Authorized a touch

Substitutes "authorized" for "allowed", giving a sense of formal consent; "touch" is a more figurative alternative to "little".

Sanctioned a minimum

Indicates an official approval of a very small quantity, using "sanctioned" to imply a formal endorsement and "minimum" for precision.

Endorsed a degree

Suggests a limited endorsement, where "degree" serves as a quantifiable measure of acceptance, different from the vagueness of "little".

Condoned a fraction

Implies overlooking something to a minimal extent, with "condoned" suggesting tacit acceptance and "fraction" specifying a small portion.

Suffered a smidgeon

Indicates reluctantly allowing something very small; "suffered" expresses a negative connotation, while "smidgeon" is an informal synonym for a tiny bit.

Countenanced a shade

Suggests reluctantly permitting something slight, with "countenanced" implying tolerance and "shade" serving as a subtle measure of degree.

Facilitated a trickle

Focuses on enabling a small flow of something; "facilitated" highlights the active support, and "trickle" conveys a minimal stream.

FAQs

How can I use "allowed a little" in a sentence?

You can use "allowed a little" to indicate that something is permitted to a small extent. For example, "The teacher "allowed a little" extra time for the students to finish the test".

What's a more formal way to say "allowed a little"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "permitted a slight deviation", "granted a minor exception", or "authorized a small allowance".

Is it ever incorrect to use "allowed a little"?

While generally correct, using "allowed a little" might be too informal for very formal writing. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing this phrase.

What can I say instead of "allowed a little" to emphasize reluctance?

If you want to show that something was permitted reluctantly, consider using phrases like "grudgingly permitted a bit", "tolerated a small amount", or "countenanced a shade".