allowed them to express

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed them to express" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the permission or opportunity given to individuals to communicate their thoughts, feelings, or ideas. Example: "The workshop was designed to create a safe space that allowed them to express their creativity without fear of judgment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The probing allowed them to express their confusion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The heart spread rapidly among Japanese teenagers because it allowed them to express an emotion that was almost impossible to portray in small snippets of text.

The New York Times

The addition of interchangeable arms and moving parts in the 1930s allowed them to express with their entire bodies, and they could be seen to be engaged in activities which were a reflection of a lifestyle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In an interview with The San Francisco Chronicle this year, Mr. Banducci recalled the club fondly: "I gave people artistic freedom, allowed them to express themselves as they wished, without any interference from me or anybody else".

The New York Times

Similarly, a study conducted in the UK reported on educators' invocation of a 'professionalism from within' (Osgood 2010, 126) that allowed them to express ways of being a professional that did not rely upon the dominant discourses of professionalism otherwise available to them.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

It was less risky than joining a clandestine anti-Franco movement, and allowed them to express their dissidence.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"I have to allow them to express their faith".

The New York Times

Allow them to express their feelings to you and please comfort their fears.

The New York Times

but word processing can allow them to express things well and be creative," he said.

The Washington Post

Several team members actually thanked him for allowing them to express their points of view.

Harvard Business Review

"The tools they have now allow them to express themselves a lot more loudly".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allowed them to express", ensure the context clearly indicates who granted the permission or created the opportunity for expression.

Common error

Avoid using "allowed them to express" when a more active voice would be clearer. For instance, instead of "The rules allowed them to express their opinions freely", consider "The rules enabled them to express their opinions freely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed them to express" functions as a verb phrase indicating that an agent has given permission or opportunity for individuals to communicate their thoughts, feelings, or ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allowed them to express" is grammatically correct and serves the function of indicating that someone was given the opportunity or permission to share their thoughts, feelings, or ideas. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a broad audience. While not as frequent as some other phrases, it is a valid and useful expression as also confirmed by Ludwig. Alternatives such as "enabled them to communicate" or "permitted them to articulate" can be used depending on the desired tone and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enabled them to communicate

Substitutes "allowed" with "enabled" and "express" with "communicate", emphasizing the ability to convey information.

permitted them to articulate

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted" and "express" with "articulate", both conveying a more formal tone.

facilitated their expression

Uses a noun phrase to describe the action of facilitating expression, rather than directly allowing it.

gave them the opportunity to voice

Highlights the provision of an opportunity to speak, using "voice" instead of "express".

empowered them to share

Focuses on the act of empowering individuals to share their thoughts or feelings.

made it possible for them to convey

Emphasizes the act of making communication possible.

created a space for them to air

Implies creation of a conducive environment for expressing opinions and feelings.

provided them the means to articulate

Focuses on providing the means or resources needed for articulation.

authorized them to state

Indicates official permission or authorization to state something.

let them verbalize

A simpler, more direct way of saying allowed them to express verbally.

FAQs

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

You can use "allowed them to express" to indicate that someone was given the opportunity or permission to share their thoughts, feelings, or ideas. For example: "The summer camp "allowed them to express themselves"."

What are some alternatives to "allowed them to express"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "enabled them to communicate", "permitted them to articulate", or "facilitated their expression" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "allowed them to express" or "allowed them to express themselves"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "allowed them to express themselves" often provides a clearer and more complete meaning. The choice depends on whether the context makes it obvious what they were expressing. If not, add "themselves".

What is the difference between "allowed them to express" and "helped them to express"?

"Allowed them to express" indicates permission or opportunity, while "helped them to express" implies assistance or support in the act of expressing. The phrase "helped them to express" suggests overcoming a barrier, whereas "allowed" does not necessarily imply any barrier existed in the first place.