did not allow for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not allow for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not taken into consideration or accounted for in a particular situation or decision. Example: "The budget proposal did not allow for unexpected expenses, which led to financial difficulties later on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Russia's dominance did not allow for much drama.

The Guardian - Sport

Critics complained this exactitude did not allow for multiple viewpoints.

The New York Times - Arts

The studio countered that Lawrence's hectic schedule did not allow for a delay.

The Guardian - Film

Their complaint was that the new law did not allow for any exceptions.

The New York Times - Sports

The system did not allow for the possibility of giving up on a student.

The New York Times - Arts

With 15 strikeouts, Clemens did not allow for many fielding chances.

The New York Times - Sports

The rankings did not allow for the drugs' current legal status – and therefore availability".

The Guardian - Opinion

The July stress tests, which did not allow for sovereign defaults, offer scant guidance.

The Economist

The rules, it said, simply did not allow for such an exception.

The Economist

And since time did not allow for concrete promises, she gushed with words of encouragement.

The New York Times

And it did not allow for payments done by extracting cells from bone marrow.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not allow for", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what was not considered or provided for. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex sentence structures when "did not allow for" is part of the sentence. Keep it concise and direct to ensure clarity. For example, instead of "The intricately designed system, though promising in theory, did not allow for real-world application due to its unwieldy nature", consider "The system's design did not allow for real-world application".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not allow for" functions as a verb phrase expressing a lack of provision, consideration, or possibility. It modifies a noun, indicating that something was not taken into account or made feasible. As Ludwig highlights, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not allow for" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a lack of provision, consideration, or possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business writing. While alternatives like "did not account for" or "failed to consider" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to maintain clarity in your sentences and avoid overly complex structures when using this phrase. With over 50 examples available, Ludwig demonstrates the phrase's common usage and applicability in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not account for

Focuses on the absence of consideration or planning.

did not take into account

Focuses on a lack of mindful inclusion.

failed to consider

Focuses on the omission in thought or planning.

did not permit

Emphasizes a lack of permission or authorization.

precluded the possibility of

Indicates that something made another thing impossible.

did not enable

Highlights the lack of means or opportunity.

did not give room for

Emphasizes the absence of space or opportunity.

did not make provision for

Stresses the absence of specific arrangements.

made no allowance for

Highlights a deliberate absence of provision.

left out of consideration

Highlights exclusion from deliberate thought.

FAQs

What does "did not allow for" mean?

The phrase "did not allow for" means something wasn't taken into consideration or made possible. It implies a lack of provision or planning for a particular situation or factor.

How can I use "did not allow for" in a sentence?

You can use "did not allow for" to explain why something couldn't happen or wasn't considered. For example, "The budget "did not allow for" unexpected expenses".

What are some alternatives to "did not allow for"?

Alternatives include "did not account for", "failed to consider", or "did not permit". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "did not allow for" formal or informal?

"Did not allow for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a versatile phrase that can be used in various types of writing and speech.