be allowed to win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be allowed to win" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permission or the opportunity to achieve victory in a competition or situation. Example: "In this game, everyone should be allowed to win at least once to keep the morale high."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

He should not be allowed to win it with words.

The New York Times

He mustn't be allowed to win this round.

Independent

The Nazis must not be allowed to win," Mr Nierth said after the fire.

Independent

The Taliban cannot be allowed to win this vicious campaign against girls, learning and tolerance.

The New York Times

Some black voters gloomily decided that Obama would not be allowed to win, after all.

The Guardian - Opinion

My attitude that day was the same as most Americans: the terrorists must not be allowed to win.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

If East is allowed to win this trick, he shifts to the heart jack.

The New York Times

The club nine was led, and it was allowed to win -- a misjudgment by the declarer.

The New York Times - Arts

There's no way we could have been allowed to win".

The Guardian

When the spade king was led from dummy it was allowed to win.

The New York Times - Arts

When he was allowed to win the trick, he shifted to the diamond jack.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be allowed to win", ensure the context clearly indicates who is granting the permission or creating the opportunity to win. For example, "The rules state that every participant must "be allowed to win" at least one game."

Common error

Avoid using "be allowed to win" when you actually mean "be able to win". The former implies permission, while the latter indicates capability. For instance, say "The athlete wasn't able to win because of an injury", not "The athlete wasn't allowed to win because of an injury", unless external forces are preventing them from doing so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be allowed to win" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing permission or possibility. It typically appears as part of a larger clause, indicating that someone has the authorization or opportunity to achieve victory. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be allowed to win" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that conveys permission or opportunity to achieve victory. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts and carries a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who grants the permission or creates the opportunity and avoid confusing it with "be able to win", which indicates capability. Remember that several alternatives exist, each carrying a slightly different nuance that could better fit certain situation. The top authoritative sources are The New York Times, The Guardian, The Economist, Huffington Post and Independent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be permitted to win

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted", conveying a slightly more formal tone but maintaining the same core meaning.

be authorized to win

Indicates a more official or formal approval to win, suggesting a higher level of permission.

have permission to win

Shifts the focus to the explicit granting of permission to win.

be entitled to win

Suggests that winning is a right or justified claim, not just a possibility.

be eligible to win

Emphasizes meeting the necessary conditions to be able to win.

have the chance to win

Focuses on the opportunity or possibility of winning, rather than explicit permission.

be in a position to win

Highlights the circumstances or conditions that make winning possible.

stand a chance of winning

Indicates a reasonable probability of winning.

be capable of winning

Focuses on the ability or potential to win, rather than permission.

have what it takes to win

Emphasizes possessing the necessary qualities or skills for winning.

FAQs

What does "be allowed to win" mean?

The phrase "be allowed to win" means that someone has permission or the opportunity to achieve victory in a competition, game, or other situation. It suggests that there are no external restrictions preventing them from winning.

When is it appropriate to use "be allowed to win" in a sentence?

Use "be allowed to win" when you want to emphasize that someone has the opportunity or permission to be victorious. It's appropriate when discussing fairness, rules, or situations where external forces could prevent someone from winning. For example, "Every child should "have a chance to win"".

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

You can use alternatives like "be permitted to win", "be eligible to win", or "have permission to win" depending on the context. Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance related to the type of permission or opportunity.

Is there a difference between "be allowed to win" and "be able to win"?

Yes, "be allowed to win" implies permission or the absence of external restrictions, whereas "be able to win" indicates capability or the presence of the necessary skills and resources. For example, someone might "be allowed to win" a game because the rules are fair, but they might not "be able to win" if they lack the necessary skill.