be allowed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be allowed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permission or the state of being permitted to exist or act in a certain way. Example: "In this organization, employees should be allowed to be themselves without fear of judgment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You should be allowed to be.

The Guardian - Opinion

He should be allowed to be careless.

The Washington Post

It's fine for that to be allowed, to be legal.

The New York Times

They should be allowed to be barefoot and dirty.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Our cultural history must not be allowed to be rewritten".

The Guardian - Film

"Would I be allowed to be in this position?

The New York Times

"Children should be allowed to be children, not wives".

The Guardian

The idea that madness should be allowed to be madness.

The Guardian

It's great to be allowed to be animal.

The Guardian - Film

Should he be allowed to be in that position?

The New York Times - Sports

No businesses are going to be allowed to be opened.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be allowed to be" when you want to emphasize that someone or something has permission or the right to exist or act in a particular way, especially when facing potential restrictions or opposition.

Common error

While "be allowed to be" is often grammatically correct, excessive use of passive constructions can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider whether an active voice construction would be more impactful and clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be allowed to be" functions as a modal passive construction. It expresses permission or authorization for a subject to exist or act in a particular way. Ludwig confirms its validity through numerous examples, showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be allowed to be" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to express permission, authorization, or a right to exist in a certain state. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. When writing, remember that while grammatically sound, excessive use of passive voice could weaken your writing. To enrich your writing, you can opt for alternatives like "be permitted to be", "have the right to be", or "be entitled to be", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be permitted to be

Formal synonym, emphasizing official authorization.

be free to be

Emphasizes the absence of constraints or limitations.

have the right to be

Focuses on entitlement and inherent privilege.

be entitled to be

Highlights a justified expectation or claim.

be authorized to be

Emphasizes formal approval or sanction.

be acceptable to be

Shifts focus to social or moral permissibility.

be considered okay to be

Informal and focuses on a general sense of approval.

be regarded as able to be

Highlights capability alongside permission.

be capable of being

Highlights potential and inherent ability.

be okay to exist as

Focuses on the acceptance of one's existence or identity.

FAQs

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

You can use "be allowed to be" to indicate permission or a right to exist in a certain state. For example, "Children should "be allowed to be" children, not wives." This emphasizes the importance of letting children enjoy their childhood.

What phrases are similar to "be allowed to be"?

Similar phrases include "be permitted to be", "have the right to be", or "be entitled to be". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as formal permission or inherent right.

Which is correct, "be allowed to be" or "is allowed to be"?

"Be allowed to be" is generally used after modal verbs (e.g. should, must, can) or infinitives (e.g. to). "Is allowed to be" is used when referring to a specific instance in the present tense, for example: "This is a safe space and everyone is allowed to be themselves."

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

"Be allowed to be" indicates permission or authorization, while "be able to be" indicates capability or possibility. For example, "He should "be allowed to be" careless" (permission) versus "He may be able to be a successful professional" (capability).