are allowed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are allowed to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to express permission or authorization to do something. Example: Employees are allowed to take a one-hour lunch break.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make mistakes ― you are allowed to". .

Huffington Post

You are allowed to write about yourself.

The New Yorker

Senior citizens are allowed to be grumpy.

The New York Times

We are allowed to expect more.

The New Yorker

Artists are allowed to express themselves.

The New Yorker

Adults are allowed to do that.

The New York Times

They are allowed to go out.

Independent

Other people are allowed to boo.

The New Yorker

Children are allowed to touch.

The New York Times - Travel

In metal, bands are allowed to develop.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Nevertheless, market forces are allowed to operate".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating formal authorization, consider using "are authorized to" for a stronger, more official tone. For example, "Only designated personnel are allowed to access the secure server."

Common error

Avoid confusing "allowed", which means permitted, with "aloud", which means audibly. For example, "Students are allowed to speak quietly" is correct, while "Students are aloud to speak quietly" is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are allowed to" functions as a modal construction indicating permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies that someone or something has been granted the right to perform a specific action. The many examples available in Ludwig show how widely this construction is used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are allowed to" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to express permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various contexts, from formal news reports to informal online discussions. The phrase functions as a modal construction, indicating that an action is permissible. While alternatives like "are permitted to" or "are authorized to" may be used for a more formal tone, "are allowed to" maintains a neutral register suitable for most situations. A common error to avoid is confusing "allowed" with "aloud". Remember, "are allowed to" signifies permission, making it a versatile and essential phrase for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are permitted to

This alternative uses "permitted" instead of "allowed", conveying a similar meaning of authorization but with a slightly more formal tone.

have permission to

This phrase restructures the sentence to emphasize possession of permission rather than a state of being allowed.

are authorized to

Using "authorized" implies a more official or formal granting of permission.

are entitled to

This suggests a right or qualification to do something, rather than simple permission.

are able to

This alternative focuses on capability and possibility, subtly shifting the focus from permission to ability.

are in a position to

This implies having the necessary circumstances or conditions to do something.

may

This uses the modal verb "may" to indicate permission or possibility in a more concise way.

can

Similar to "may", this uses "can" to denote ability or permission, often in a more informal context.

are free to

This emphasizes the liberty or lack of restriction in performing an action.

it is permissible to

This alternative uses a more impersonal construction to express that something is allowed.

FAQs

What is the difference between "are allowed to" and "are permitted to"?

While both "are allowed to" and "are permitted to" indicate permission, "are permitted to" can sound slightly more formal. The choice often depends on the context and desired tone.

What can I say instead of "are allowed to"?

You can use alternatives like "are permitted to", "have permission to", or "are authorized to" depending on the context.

How do I use "are allowed to" in a sentence?

"Are allowed to" indicates that someone or something has permission to do something. For example, "Employees are allowed to take a one-hour lunch break".

Is it correct to say "is allowed to" or "are allowed to"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is allowed to" for singular subjects (e.g., "He is allowed to leave") and "are allowed to" for plural subjects (e.g., "They are allowed to leave").