most permissive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most permissive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, rule, or policy that allows the greatest degree of freedom or leniency compared to others. Example: "The new policy is the most permissive we've ever had, allowing employees to work from home as often as they like."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Compared to its neighbors, the study said, "North Castle's are presently the most permissive".

The New York Times

To attract investment, Mr. Fujimori's administration has created one of Latin America's most permissive investment codes.

The New York Times

Wisconsin, like Colorado, has some of the most permissive gun laws in the country.

The Guardian

We prove that there exists at most one most permissive solution to this control problem.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Arizona's gun laws stand out as among the most permissive in the country.

The New York Times

Secondly, we have by far the most permissive gun control laws, the weakest gun policies of any country.

Harvard University

Virginia has some of the nation's most permissive ethics laws, allowing officials to accept gifts of unlimited size.

The Washington Post

During his tenure as California's governor in the 1960s, Regan signed some of the nation's most permissive abortion rights legislation.

The Washington Post

The HepG2-NTCP cell clone most permissive to HBV was then used for the remainder of this study.

Nature

THE Dutch have long been the most permissive of Europeans in matters of sex, soft drugs and suicide.

The Economist

There is the impression probably a correct one that throughout history the lower socio-economic class was the most permissive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most permissive", ensure the context clearly defines what is being permitted. For example, specify "most permissive gun laws" or "most permissive data sharing settings" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "most permissive" without specifying the area of permissiveness. Saying "this is the most permissive" without context leaves the statement vague and open to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most permissive" functions as a superlative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate the highest degree of allowance or freedom. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a standard and usable English phrase, evident in examples like "most permissive gun laws" and "most permissive licenses".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

34%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most permissive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used superlative adjective, as confirmed by Ludwig. It effectively characterizes something as allowing the greatest degree of freedom or leniency. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

When employing "most permissive", it's crucial to provide clear context regarding what is being permitted to avoid ambiguity. For example, "most permissive gun laws" is more informative than simply "most permissive". Alternatives like "most lenient" or "least restrictive" can be considered for nuanced variations in meaning.

Overall, "most permissive" is a versatile phrase, but should be used precisely to ensure clarity and avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most lenient

Focuses on tolerance and lack of strictness in applying rules.

least restrictive

Emphasizes the absence of limitations or constraints.

most liberal

Highlights openness to new behaviors or opinions, especially differing from tradition.

most tolerant

Implies acceptance of diverse views or actions.

most accommodating

Suggests a willingness to adjust to fit others' needs.

most indulgent

Suggests a willingness to allow someone to have or do something that may not be good for them

most broad-minded

Focuses on an open and accepting attitude.

most open-minded

Suggests a receptiveness to new ideas and perspectives.

most unrestricted

Emphasizes the absence of controls or regulations.

most uninhibited

Suggests a lack of restraint or inhibition in behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "most permissive" in a sentence?

You can use "most permissive" to describe laws, rules, or settings that allow the greatest degree of freedom. For example, "This state has the "most permissive gun laws" in the country" or "These are the "most permissive data sharing settings" available".

What are some alternatives to "most permissive"?

Alternatives include "most lenient", "least restrictive", or "most liberal", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "most permissive" or "more permissive"?

"Most permissive" is used when comparing three or more options and indicating the one that allows the greatest freedom. "More permissive" is used when comparing only two options.

What's the difference between "most permissive" and "most tolerant"?

"Most permissive" implies allowing a wide range of actions or behaviors, while "most tolerant" suggests acceptance of diverse views or beliefs. Permissiveness focuses on allowing, while tolerance emphasizes accepting.