allowed to keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed to keep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permission or entitlement to retain something, often in a legal or informal context. Example: "After the divorce, she was allowed to keep the family dog."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were allowed to keep their badges.

The New York Times

Semenya was allowed to keep her medal.

The New York Times - Sports

They are allowed to keep $100.

The New York Times

He should be allowed to keep it.

The Guardian - Sport

Why was Knight allowed to keep going?

The New York Times - Sports

He was allowed to keep the coin.

The New Yorker

He was allowed to keep his winnings.

The Guardian

Spitball pitchers were allowed to keep on with spitballs, however.

The New Yorker

These companies are allowed to keep their draft filings confidential.

The New Yorker

And he was allowed to keep his job.

The New York Times

Even under Stalin, families were allowed to keep plots.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allowed to keep", ensure the context clearly establishes who granted the permission or authorization. Providing this clarity enhances the sentence's precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "allowed to keep" something implies ownership or unrestricted use. Permission may be conditional or temporary. Explicitly state any limitations on the permission granted to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed to keep" functions as a passive construction indicating permission or authorization to retain possession of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The numerous examples demonstrate its practical application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allowed to keep" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase signifying that someone has been granted permission or authorization to retain something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely applicable across various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic discussions. When using "allowed to keep", ensure clarity regarding who granted the permission and any limitations associated with it. Alternatives like "permitted to retain" or "authorized to hold" offer similar meanings but may convey different levels of formality. Its prevalence in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and versatility in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted to retain

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted", suggesting a more formal authorization.

authorized to hold

Uses "authorized" instead of "allowed", implying official approval or legal right.

entitled to keep

Emphasizes a right or legitimate claim to retain something.

given leave to keep

A more formal and less common way of saying allowed to keep, often used in legal contexts.

granted permission to keep

Explicitly states that permission was given, highlighting the act of allowing.

given the green light to keep

An idiomatic expression meaning approval was given to keep something.

not required to return

Focuses on the absence of an obligation to give something back, implying permission to keep it.

at liberty to keep

Indicates freedom or the right to keep something at one's discretion.

free to retain

Similar to "at liberty to keep", suggesting a lack of restrictions on keeping something.

given the okay to keep

An informal way to indicate that approval was granted to keep something.

FAQs

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

You can use "allowed to keep" to describe a situation where someone has permission to retain something, such as "After the game, the children were allowed to keep the balloons they won."

What are some alternatives to "allowed to keep"?

Alternatives include "permitted to retain", "authorized to hold", or "entitled to keep", depending on the formality and context.

Is it correct to say "allowed keeping" instead of "allowed to keep"?

No, "allowed keeping" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "allowed to keep", using the infinitive form of the verb.

What's the difference between "allowed to keep" and "forced to keep"?

"Allowed to keep" implies permission, while "forced to keep" implies obligation or compulsion. They have opposite meanings; one suggests a choice, and the other suggests a lack of choice.