allowed to compete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed to compete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permissions or eligibility to participate in a competition or contest. Example: "Only those who meet the qualifications are allowed to compete in the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Foreign banks had been allowed to compete.

The Economist

All were allowed to compete as women.

The New York Times - Sports

Caster is allowed to compete.

The Guardian - Sport

Two parties were not allowed to compete at all.

The New York Times

But he cannot be allowed to compete with normal runners.

The New York Times - Magazine

Neither will be allowed to compete in the Sydney Games.

The New York Times - Sports

Five years later, women were allowed to compete in Boston.

The Guardian

Individual firms were allowed to compete for new customers.

The New Yorker

Assume McCain runs strongly where allowed to compete.

The New York Times

"In Beijing, she would not have been allowed to compete.

The Guardian - Sport

Are Paralympians allowed to compete at the Olympic Games?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing rules or regulations, use "allowed to compete" to clearly state eligibility or permission to participate.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when using "allowed to compete". Ensure that the tense used in the sentence aligns with the timeframe being discussed. For example, don't mix past and present tenses without a clear reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed to compete" functions as a verb phrase indicating permission or authorization to participate in a competition or contest. Ludwig AI states that this phrase is correct and usable in written English, denoting eligibility under specific rules or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

General

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allowed to compete" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that indicates permission or eligibility to participate in a competition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, sports reporting, and general discussions. When writing, ensure consistent tense usage. Alternatives such as "permitted to participate" or "eligible to contend" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance desired. Its widespread use across diverse sources underscores its versatility and acceptance in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have permission to compete

Rephrases "allowed to compete" to explicitly state the act of having permission.

permitted to participate

Replaces "compete" with the more formal "participate" and uses "permitted" instead of "allowed", indicating formal consent.

eligible to contend

Substitutes "allowed" with "eligible", emphasizing meeting the requirements to participate, and replaces "compete" with "contend", implying a more intense competition.

entitled to participate

Replaces "allowed" with "entitled", suggesting a right or privilege to participate.

authorized to vie

Uses "authorized" instead of "allowed", indicating official approval, and "vie" instead of "compete", implying a strong desire to win.

given leave to compete

Emphasizes the granting of permission with the phrase "given leave", suitable for more formal contexts.

sanctioned to contend

Uses "sanctioned" to suggest an official endorsement or approval to compete or contend.

given the green light to compete

Idiomatic expression indicating approval or permission to begin or continue competing.

free to participate

Indicates absence of restrictions, allowing participation.

can take part in the competition

A more descriptive alternative, explicitly mentioning the ability to take part in a competition.

FAQs

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

You can use "allowed to compete" when discussing eligibility or permission to participate in a competition. For instance, "Only athletes meeting the standards are "eligible to compete"."

What are some alternatives to "allowed to compete"?

Alternatives include "permitted to participate", "eligible to contend", or "authorized to vie", depending on the context and formality level.

Is it correct to say "enable to compete" instead of "allowed to compete"?

While "enable to compete" might seem similar, it focuses more on providing the means or opportunity to compete, whereas "allowed to compete" explicitly refers to permission. They aren't directly interchangeable; it depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "allowed to compete" and "able to compete"?

"Allowed to compete" implies permission, while "able to compete" indicates capability or having the necessary skills. Someone might be allowed but not able, or vice versa.