allowed to catch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed to catch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permissions or opportunities to capture or seize something, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "In this game, players are only allowed to catch the ball if it is thrown to them directly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one else will be allowed to catch even a glimpse of it".

The New Yorker

Charter fishermen, too, are regulated in the size of cod they're allowed to catch and keep.

The New York Times - Arts

The Inuit community of Point Hope is allowed to catch 10 bowhead whales per year.

The Guardian - Arts

Fishermen will be allowed to catch grouper using vertical lines, which are dropped overboard.

The New York Times - Science

And whether anyone would buy their seafood once they were allowed to catch it again was another matter.

The New York Times

It could, for example, ignore the quotas on how many fish its fishermen are allowed to catch.

The Washington Post

Currently, only specially licensed fishermen are allowed to catch the crabs, and they must do so by hand.

The New York Times

"People are not allowed to catch any fish or shrimps in the exclusive zone established by BP.

The Guardian

Yes, this violates one of the core principles of football (linement aren't allowed to catch), and yes, it's perfectly legal.

The New York Times - Sports

(Last fall, for the first time in ages, private citizens in Connecticut were allowed to catch beaver with steel jump traps - the crippling kind.

The New Yorker

Under the 1987 regulations, shrimpers will be allowed to catch about 200,000 pounds of red drum, taken incidentally with their shrimp catch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing regulations or quotas, clearly specify who is "allowed to catch" what, and under what conditions.

Common error

Don't assume that because someone is able to catch something, they are automatically "allowed to catch" it. Always verify permissions, licenses, or regulations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed to catch" functions as a verb phrase indicating permission or authorization to perform the action of catching. It uses a passive construction, where 'allowed' modifies 'to catch', as affirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "allowed to catch" is a versatile construction used to express permission or authorization to capture something, as determined by Ludwig. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse communications. While grammatically sound, it's important to distinguish capability from permission. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and common usage, highlighting that while someone might be able to catch, being "allowed to catch" is another consideration altogether. Phrases like "permitted to catch" or "authorized to catch" offer more formal alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted to catch

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted", emphasizing formal authorization.

authorized to catch

Substitutes "allowed" with "authorized", suggesting official approval or delegation of power.

entitled to catch

Changes "allowed" to "entitled", focusing on a right or legitimate claim.

have permission to catch

Rephrases the phrase to explicitly state "permission", adding slight formality.

given leave to catch

Replaces "allowed" with "given leave", emphasizing a formal granting of permission.

free to catch

Focuses on the absence of restriction rather than explicit permission.

able to catch

Indicates capability alongside permission, implying both are necessary.

eligible to catch

Highlights meeting specific requirements to be "allowed", adding a conditional aspect.

can catch

Uses a more concise and informal expression of capability and permission.

have the opportunity to catch

Shifts focus to the availability of a chance to catch, rather than the explicit permission.

FAQs

What does "allowed to catch" mean?

The phrase "allowed to catch" indicates that someone has permission, authorization, or the right to capture or seize something, whether literally (like fish) or figuratively.

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

A more formal alternative is "permitted to catch" or "authorized to catch", which emphasize official consent.

Can "allowed to catch" be used in contexts other than fishing?

Yes, "allowed to catch" can be used metaphorically. For example, "Students were "allowed to catch" up on missed assignments".

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

"Able to catch" refers to the capability or skill to catch something, while ""allowed to catch"" refers to having the permission or right to do so. One can be able but not allowed, or vice versa.