be allowed to sing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be allowed to sing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing permission or the opportunity to sing, often in contexts related to rules or regulations. Example: "In the talent show, all participants must be allowed to sing their chosen songs without restrictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Only birds would be allowed to sing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Out of all the stories in my book, the most shocking incident to me is that I wouldn't be allowed to sing all the time.

The Guardian - Music

Russia's richest man, the oil billionaire Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky, will be allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve to watch television, but he will not be allowed to sing or drink champagne, according to people in a position to tell him what to do.

The New York Times

Here's my problem with Casey: no one that good looking should ever be allowed to sing the blues.

Huffington Post

When I came out as a "practicing homosexual," I was told by faith leaders that I wouldn't be allowed to sing on church stages anymore.

Huffington Post

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Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We're allowed to sing and dance.

The New York Times

"Bobby wasn't downstairs, which is how Dylan was allowed to sing".

The New York Times

Brel is what mime artists would sound like if they were allowed to sing.

The Guardian - Music

But she is allowed to sing the song in concert, she said, and often closes her club shows with it.

The New York Times

On occasion in previous years, finalists were allowed to sing songs that played to their strengths as performers.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing regulations or specific permissions, use "be allowed to sing" to clearly indicate that someone has been granted the opportunity or right to sing. For example: "In the talent show, all participants must "be allowed to sing" their chosen songs without restrictions."

Common error

Avoid using "can sing" when you specifically mean "is allowed to sing". "Can" refers to ability, while "be allowed to" refers to permission. For example, instead of saying "He can't sing in the church", say "He isn't allowed to sing in the church" if the issue is permission, not capability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be allowed to sing" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating permission or authorization. As Ludwig AI suggests, it expresses that someone has been granted the opportunity to sing, often within a specific set of rules or regulations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Academic

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be allowed to sing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that conveys permission or authorization to sing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples across different contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news, media and wiki contexts. Alternative phrases include "be permitted to sing" and "have permission to sing". When using this phrase, be mindful of the distinction between permission and ability, and avoid confusing it with "can sing". Overall, "be allowed to sing" is a versatile and appropriate choice for expressing the concept of granted permission to engage in vocal performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be permitted to sing

Uses 'permitted' instead of 'allowed', indicating a more formal authorization.

have permission to sing

Replaces 'be allowed' with 'have permission', changing the structure slightly.

be authorized to sing

Emphasizes official authorization rather than general allowance.

be entitled to sing

Suggests a right or entitlement to sing, rather than simply permission.

be free to sing

Implies the absence of restrictions or constraints on singing.

can sing

Expresses the general ability to sing, without necessarily implying permission.

may sing

Uses 'may' instead of 'allowed', indicating possibility or permission.

have the liberty to sing

Highlights the freedom and independence to sing.

be capable of singing

Focuses on the skill or capability to sing, rather than the permission.

be in a position to sing

Highlights the possibility of singing given current state.

FAQs

How to use "be allowed to sing" in a sentence?

You can use "be allowed to sing" to indicate that someone has permission or the opportunity to sing in a specific context. For example, "Students will "be allowed to sing" during the school assembly."

What can I say instead of "be allowed to sing"?

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

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

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Be allowed to sing" implies permission, while "can sing" implies ability. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

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

"Be allowed to sing" means having permission to sing, whereas "be able to sing" means having the skill or capacity to sing. One refers to external authorization, and the other refers to internal capability.