allowed to borrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed to borrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permission to take or use something temporarily, typically in a context involving lending or borrowing items or money. Example: "Students are allowed to borrow books from the library for up to three weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As loans were repaid, people were allowed to borrow more.

The Economist

Trusts are not allowed to borrow money either.

The Guardian

The drama department had a Bolex camera which he was allowed to borrow.

Independent

But we're only allowed to borrow two players from the same team in this country.

The New York Times - Sports

Most state and local governments are not allowed to borrow to cover shortfalls.

The Economist

The question then will be, is the country in question allowed to borrow?

The Economist

Municipalities would be allowed to borrow nearly $4 billion, according to a Senate estimate.

The New York Times

I've still got my original childhood copy, which NO ONE'S allowed to borrow, so there.

The Guardian

And he says councils should be allowed to borrow to build new council homes.

The Guardian

To keep the wheels turning, local authorities and other government agencies were allowed to borrow.

The Guardian - Business

In short, because it is not allowed to borrow any more money.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allowed to borrow", ensure the context clearly indicates who is granting the permission and who is receiving it for maximum clarity. For instance, "Students are "allowed to borrow" books from the library" is clearer than "Borrowing is allowed."

Common error

Be careful not to use "allowed to borrow" when you mean "able to borrow". "Allowed" implies permission, while "able" implies capability. For example, "He is "allowed to borrow" the car" means he has permission, whereas "He is able to borrow the car" means he has the means to do so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed to borrow" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating permission or authorization to take something temporarily. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe situations where someone is granted the right to use something belonging to another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allowed to borrow" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has permission to take or use something temporarily. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and high frequency across various sources. It is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic, formal, and business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is granting the permission. Alternatives include "permitted to borrow" and "authorized to borrow".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted to borrow

Emphasizes formal authorization.

authorized to borrow

Highlights official approval or sanction.

able to borrow

Focuses on the capability or possibility of borrowing.

entitled to borrow

Suggests a right or privilege to borrow.

eligible to borrow

Indicates that someone meets the requirements to borrow.

have permission to borrow

States explicitly that permission has been granted.

given leave to borrow

Implies a formal granting of permission.

can borrow

A more concise and informal alternative.

may borrow

Indicates possibility, often with a touch of formality.

have access to borrowing

Focuses on the availability of borrowing resources.

FAQs

How can I use "allowed to borrow" in a sentence?

Use "allowed to borrow" to indicate that someone has permission to take or use something temporarily. For example, "Employees are "allowed to borrow" company vehicles for work-related travel."

What is a formal alternative to "allowed to borrow"?

A more formal alternative is "permitted to borrow". This emphasizes the official authorization to take something temporarily.

Is there a difference between "allowed to borrow" and "able to borrow"?

"Allowed to borrow" implies permission, while "able to borrow" suggests capability or means. Someone might be "allowed to borrow" something but not "able to borrow" it due to other constraints.

What phrases are similar to "allowed to borrow"?

Similar phrases include "authorized to borrow", "entitled to borrow", and "eligible to borrow", each carrying slightly different nuances of permission or right.