can allow

USAGE SUMMARY

"can allow" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to permission or opportunity. For example, "The teacher can allow extra time for the exam if necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who can allow them in?

The New York Times

States can allow larger employers to participate.

The New York Times - Health

It can allow government to continue expanding.

The New York Times

Improved workforce planning can allow increased redeployment from frontline roles.

The Guardian

"It's a question of how many mistakes they can allow".

The New York Times

But this culture can allow moral transgressions to thrive.

The Guardian - Music

They can allow a base runner here and there".

The New York Times - Sports

Many factors can allow error, even fraud, to slip through.

The New York Times - Health

None of us can allow Option 2 to happen.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Rachel can allow for only one possibility.

The New York Times

"This can allow us to develop more rational therapies".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can allow", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is granting the permission or enabling the action. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid overstating what "can allow" actually permits. It suggests possibility or permission, not guaranteed outcomes. Be sure the rest of your sentence reflects this limitation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "can allow" is to express possibility or permission. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in indicating that something is feasible or permissible under certain conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can allow" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate possibility or permission. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and usability in various contexts, from news and media to science and general writing. With a neutral register, it's appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While frequently used, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is granting the permission or enabling the action. By understanding its nuances and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively use "can allow" to convey nuanced meanings in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can make possible

Shifts focus to enabling or making something feasible.

is able to permit

Emphasizes ability alongside permission; slightly more formal.

is capable of enabling

Emphasizes capability in enabling something.

has the capacity to authorize

Highlights the capacity and formal authorization aspect.

has the power to authorize

Highlights the power and formal authorization aspect.

is permitted to facilitate

Focuses on being permitted with an emphasis on making something easier.

may give leave to

Implies granting permission or formal consent.

is empowered to sanction

Highlights the empowerment aspect and formal approval.

is in a position to let

Focuses on having the authority or situation to allow something.

is entitled to approve

Indicates a right or entitlement to grant approval.

FAQs

How do I use "can allow" in a sentence?

Use "can allow" to indicate that something is possible or permitted. For example, "Improved workforce planning "can allow" increased redeployment from frontline roles."

What words can I use instead of "can allow"?

You can use alternatives like "can enable", "can permit", or "may facilitate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can allow" or "can allowed"?

"Can allow" is correct. "Allowed" is the past participle and requires an auxiliary verb like 'has' or 'was'. "Can allowed" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "can allow" and "lets"?

"Can allow" implies possibility or permission, while "lets" implies direct permission or enabling action. "Can allow" is more formal than "lets".