are allowed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are allowed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express permission or the possibility of something existing or occurring in a certain state or condition. Example: "Students are allowed to be absent from class if they have a valid reason."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Senior citizens are allowed to be grumpy.

The New York Times

They are allowed to be professional.

The New York Times - Sports

Boys are allowed to be many things, including angry.

The Guardian - Film

Speakers are allowed to be provocative, colorful, contradictory and wrong.

The New York Times

"Coaches are allowed to be emotionally illiterate," Mr. Amaechi said.

The New York Times

Walkers arrive daily; lives are allowed to be lived.

The Guardian - Travel

are allowed to be continuous functions of the position.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Furthermore, the school priority orders are allowed to be weak.

Economics Letters

"We are allowed to be wrong," she said.

The New York Times - Science

Partly because, unusually, they are allowed to be.

The Washington Post

During the trial period, only 100 articles are allowed to be downloaded.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are allowed to be", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is granting the permission or enabling the possibility. Ambiguity can arise if the source of permission is unclear.

Common error

While "are allowed to be" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "are authorized to be" or "are permitted to be" to enhance the tone and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are allowed to be" functions primarily as a passive construction indicating permission or possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showing its prevalent usage for denoting what is permissible or feasible within given constraints.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are allowed to be" is a versatile construction used to indicate permission, authorization, or possibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "are permitted to be" or "are authorized to be" may be preferred in specific professional settings. Understanding its function and choosing appropriate synonyms can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are permitted to be

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted", indicating formal consent or authorization.

are authorized to be

Replaces "allowed" with "authorized", suggesting official approval or granted power.

are entitled to be

Indicates a right or qualification to be in a certain state or condition.

have the right to be

Emphasizes the legal or moral justification for being in a particular state.

are able to be

Focuses on the capacity or ability to be in a specific condition.

can be

A more concise way to express possibility or permission, suitable for informal contexts.

may be

Suggests possibility or likelihood, often used in more formal or cautious contexts.

are free to be

Highlights the absence of restriction or constraint in being a certain way.

are in a position to be

Implies having the necessary circumstances or resources to be in a particular state.

are capable of being

Focuses on the inherent potential or ability to achieve a certain condition.

FAQs

How can I use "are allowed to be" in a sentence?

Use "are allowed to be" to indicate permission or possibility. For example, "Students "are allowed to be absent" with a valid excuse" or "The boundaries "are allowed to be irregular" in this model".

What are some alternatives to "are allowed to be"?

Alternatives include "are permitted to be", "are authorized to be", "are entitled to be", or simply "can be" depending on the desired level of formality and the context.

Is "are allowed to be" formal or informal?

The phrase "are allowed to be" falls in a neutral register suitable for many contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using alternatives like "are permitted to be" or "are authorized to be".

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

"Are allowed to be" implies permission or authorization, whereas "are able to be" suggests capability or possibility. For instance, "Participants "are allowed to be present"" means they have permission, while "Participants "are able to be successful"" means they have the capacity to succeed.