allowed to touch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed to touch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been given permission to be touched. For example, "The teacher said that the students were allowed to touch the animals in the classroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm not allowed to touch, I'm not allowed to touch".

Independent

Children are allowed to touch.

The New York Times - Travel

She wasn't allowed to touch books.

The Guardian

The ball is allowed to touch a player's shoulder.

Independent

Since when are we allowed to touch other people's things?

The New York Times - Books

They should never be allowed to touch another human being.

The Guardian

They wed separated by glass, never allowed to touch.

The Guardian

The prisoners were not allowed to touch their visitors.

The New York Times

That doesn't mean you're not allowed to touch the land.

The New York Times - Arts

No one else is allowed to touch anything.

The Guardian - Opinion

The women were not allowed to touch a dish or sweep the floor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allowed to touch", ensure the context clearly indicates who is granting permission and to whom. For example, "Students are allowed to touch the fossils after the lecture."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the extent of the permission. Saying "They are allowed to touch it" without specifying 'it' can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed to touch" primarily functions as a passive infinitive phrase, indicating permission or authorization to perform the action of touching. It's used to express that someone or something is granted the right or ability to make physical contact, supported by Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allowed to touch" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate permission for physical contact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used and easily understood across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings, the phrase serves to clarify rules or express granted rights. When writing, be specific about who is granting permission and to whom it applies. Avoiding ambiguity is key to clear communication. The provided alternatives, such as "permitted to handle", offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Overall, the expression is straightforward and applicable in many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted to handle

Replaces "touch" with "handle", suggesting a more formal or careful interaction.

given permission to hold

Replaces "touch" with "hold", suggesting a more secure or prolonged contact.

authorized to feel

Substitutes "touch" with "feel", implying a more sensory or emotional connection.

have the right to grasp

Highlights the legal or moral right to touch something.

entitled to access

Shifts the focus to access rather than direct physical contact.

may interact with

More formal and broad; "interact" covers more than just physical touch.

have leave to fondle

Emphasizes the freedom or right to interact physically.

able to manipulate

Focuses on the ability to control or change something through touch.

free to palpate

Specifies touching for medical or diagnostic purposes.

at liberty to caress

Emphasizes the freedom or right to gently touch something.

FAQs

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

You can use "allowed to touch" to indicate permission for physical contact. For example, "Children are "allowed to touch" the exhibits at the museum."

What is a more formal way to say "allowed to touch"?

More formal alternatives include "permitted to handle" or "authorized to make contact with". For example, "Researchers are "permitted to handle" the artifacts under supervision."

When is it appropriate to use "allowed to touch"?

"Allowed to touch" is appropriate when you want to express that someone has been given permission to physically interact with something. The specific context influences its formality.

What are some situations where someone might not be "allowed to touch" something?

Examples include museum artifacts, evidence in a crime scene, or sensitive equipment. Restrictions are placed to prevent damage or contamination. For example, "Observers are not "allowed to touch" the ballots."