allowed them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permission granted to a group of people to do something. Example: "The new policy allowed them to work from home two days a week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He never allowed them to improvise.

The New Yorker

This summer, the run, allowed them that.

The New York Times - Sports

"We allowed them to score.

The Guardian - Sport

Coulson and Tom Bonner allowed them none.

The Guardian - Sport

"But we haven't allowed them to adjust.

The Guardian - Sport

It allowed them to sweep upfield.

The Guardian - Sport

And he never allowed them to fade.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps he allowed them to get too close.

The New York Times

It allowed them to assess Shah while he was distracted.

The New Yorker

MGM allowed them an orchestra three times the size.

The New York Times - Arts

We only allowed them one chance in the first half.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "allowed them" when you want to clearly state that someone or something gave a group of people the opportunity or permission to do something. For instance, "The flexible schedule allowed them to balance work and family."

Common error

Avoid using "allowed them" in constructions where the active voice is more direct and clear. Instead of "Mistakes were allowed them", write "They allowed mistakes" or "They made mistakes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed them" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It indicates that someone or something gave permission or opportunity to a group to perform an action. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where the phrase is used to show how certain conditions or actions enabled others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allowed them" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone or something granted permission or opportunity to a group. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is versatile and appears frequently in news, science, and general writing. The analysis indicates its neutral tone and provides related phrases and usage tips to enhance writing clarity and precision. It is important to avoid common errors such as using it in passive voice constructions where a more direct active voice would be clearer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted them

More formal synonym indicating explicit permission.

enabled them

Focuses on providing the means or ability to do something.

let them

More informal way of saying "allowed them".

authorized them

Implies official or legal permission.

gave them leave

Formal and somewhat archaic way of granting permission.

licensed them

Granting a formal authorization or permit.

empowered them

Suggests giving them the power or authority to act.

sanctioned them

Suggests formal approval or endorsement.

entitled them

Suggests giving them a right or qualification.

qualified them

Suggests giving them the credentials to act.

FAQs

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

Use "allowed them" to indicate that someone or something granted permission or opportunity to a group. For example: "The new policy "permitted them" to work remotely."

What are some alternatives to "allowed them"?

Alternatives include "enabled them", "permitted them", or "let them", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is there a more formal way to say "allowed them"?

Yes, "permitted them" or "authorized them" are more formal options.

What's the difference between "allowed them" and "enabled them"?

"Allowed them" typically implies granting permission, while "enabled them" suggests providing the means or ability to do something. The phrase "enabled them" focuses more on the resources or conditions that made something possible.