allowed to return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed to return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permission or the right to go back to a place or situation. Example: "After completing the training, the employees were allowed to return to their regular duties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were later allowed to return.

The New York Times

Eventually, residents were allowed to return.

The New York Times

(Last week, he was allowed to return home).

The New Yorker

Residents have been allowed to return.

The New York Times

She has since been allowed to return.

The Guardian

These people were allowed to return home, he added.

Independent

Only in 1854 was he allowed to return to Italy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1777 he was allowed to return to Copenhagen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They will not be allowed to return unsupervised.

The New York Times

Mr. Duddy was later allowed to return to Caracas.

The New York Times

She was allowed to return home late Tuesday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "allowed to return" when referring to a situation where permission or authorization has been granted for someone or something to go back to a previous state or location. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "allowed to return" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "authorized to return" or "permitted to return" in legal documents or official correspondence to convey a higher degree of authority and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed to return" functions as a verb phrase indicating permission or authorization to go back to a previous place, state, or condition. It describes an action that is permitted, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allowed to return" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that conveys the idea of having permission or authorization to go back to a previous state or location. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain official settings. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and science-related content. When writing, remember that while generally acceptable, it's best to consider more formal options like "authorized to return" in highly formal settings. Alternatives like "permitted to go back" or "given leave to return" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted to go back

Emphasizes formal permission rather than just allowance.

authorized to come back

Implies official approval or authorization.

given leave to return

Suggests a formal granting of permission, often in a professional or institutional context.

entitled to return

Highlights a right or entitlement to return.

eligible to come back

Focuses on meeting the requirements or qualifications for returning.

free to return

Indicates absence of restrictions on returning.

at liberty to return

Similar to "free to return", but with a slightly more formal tone.

can come back

A simpler, more informal way of expressing the possibility of return.

may return

Indicates possibility or permission to return, often used in formal contexts.

have the green light to return

Implies that all necessary approvals are in place for the return.

FAQs

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

You can use "allowed to return" to indicate that someone or something has been granted permission to go back to a place or situation. For example, "After the repairs were completed, the residents were "allowed to return" to their homes".

What's the difference between "allowed to return" and "permitted to return"?

"Allowed to return" and "permitted to return" are quite similar. However, "permitted to return" ("permitted to return") often suggests a more formal or official authorization, while "allowed to return" can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "allowed to return"?

Some alternatives to "allowed to return" include "permitted to go back", "authorized to come back", or "given leave to return", depending on the level of formality and the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was allowed to return" or "were allowed to return"?

Both "was allowed to return" and "were allowed to return" are grammatically correct. Use "was" for singular subjects (e.g., "He was "allowed to return"") and "were" for plural subjects (e.g., "They were "allowed to return"").