are not allowed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not allowed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is prohibited from doing something. Example: "Students are not allowed to use their phones during the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Companies are not allowed to cough up.

The Economist

They are not allowed to strike.

The Economist

Cubans are not allowed to get ahead.

The Economist

Freshman are not allowed to do this.

Cornell University

And they are not allowed to advertise.

Yale University

Thus, faults are not allowed to accumulate.

Integration, the VLSI Journal

They are not allowed to improvise.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are not allowed to work.

The Guardian

(Women are not allowed to read).

The New Yorker

Patients are not allowed to be photographed.

The New York Times

(Lao citizens are not allowed to play).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not allowed to", ensure the context clearly indicates who is imposing the restriction and the reason behind it. For example: "Students are not allowed to use cell phones during the exam because it disrupts the learning environment."

Common error

Avoid using singular subjects with the plural verb "are". For instance, instead of "He are not allowed to enter", say "He is not allowed to enter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not allowed to" functions as a modal construction expressing prohibition or lack of permission. It indicates that a subject is restricted from performing a specific action. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where various subjects, like companies or individuals, face limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not allowed to" is a versatile and commonly used construction in the English language to express prohibition or the lack of permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across a variety of sources. While alternatives such as "are prohibited from" or "cannot" may be used depending on the context, "are not allowed to" serves as a clear and direct way to communicate restrictions. It's important to maintain subject-verb agreement and ensure that the context clearly indicates who is imposing the restriction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are prohibited from

This phrase is a more formal way of expressing prohibition.

are not permitted to

Similar to "are allowed to", but emphasizes the lack of explicit permission.

are forbidden to

This phrase suggests a stronger sense of being disallowed, often implying a rule or law.

cannot

This is a more direct and concise way of expressing inability or prohibition.

must not

Implies a rule or strong recommendation against doing something.

are restricted from

Indicates that there are limitations or constraints preventing the action.

are unable to

Focuses on the inability to perform an action, whether due to rules or circumstances.

lack the authorization to

Highlights the absence of official approval or permission.

have no right to

Emphasizes the absence of entitlement or legal basis for the action.

are out of bounds for

Idiomatic expression indicating something is off-limits or inappropriate.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are not allowed to" for a formal context?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "are prohibited from" or "are not permitted to". These alternatives offer a more professional tone.

What's a simpler way to say "are not allowed to"?

For simpler alternatives, use "cannot" or "must not". These are more direct and easily understood.

Is there a difference between "are not allowed to" and "are forbidden to"?

While both phrases indicate prohibition, "are forbidden to" often implies a stronger or more formal interdiction, sometimes with legal or moral implications. "Are not allowed to" is generally more neutral.

How to use "are not allowed to" in a sentence?

The phrase "are not allowed to" is used to indicate that someone is prohibited from doing something. For example, "Employees are not allowed to use company resources for personal gain".