not allowed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"not allowed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is prohibited from doing something. For example: "Children are not allowed to touch the equipment in the science lab."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am not allowed to.

The New Yorker

You're not allowed to anymore.

Independent

One, I'm not allowed to.

The Guardian

Companies are not allowed to cough up.

The Economist

Relatives were not allowed to accompany them.

The New York Times

He was not allowed to say no".

The New York Times

We're not allowed to hit them".

The New Yorker

The Scouts were not allowed to participate.

The New York Times

And she is not allowed to tip.

The New York Times - Tech

They are not allowed to strike.

The Economist

They were not allowed to go home.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not allowed to" when stating a rule, regulation, or restriction. For instance, "Students are "not allowed to" use cell phones during class."

Common error

Avoid using "not suppose to" instead of "not supposed to" or "not allowed to". "Suppose" implies expectation, while "allowed" indicates permission. Use "not allowed to" when indicating a prohibition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not allowed to" functions as a modal expression indicating prohibition or lack of permission. It combines the negative particle 'not' with the passive form of 'allow' to express that an action is restricted. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not allowed to" is a commonly used phrase to express prohibition or lack of permission. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news media. While versatile, it's important to distinguish it from similar expressions like "not supposed to" and consider more formal alternatives like "prohibited from" when appropriate. Its consistent presence in authoritative sources highlights its reliability in conveying restrictions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prohibited from

Formal synonym indicating a restriction.

forbidden to

Indicates a strong prohibition, often by authority.

not permitted to

A slightly more formal alternative to "not allowed to".

restricted from

Implies limitations or constraints.

barred from

Suggests exclusion or prevention from something.

precluded from

Formal term meaning prevented from doing something.

cannot

Simple and direct way to express inability or prohibition.

must not

Emphasizes an obligation not to do something.

out of bounds for

Informal expression indicating something is off-limits.

off-limits to

Similar to "out of bounds", suggesting a prohibited area or action.

FAQs

How do I properly use "not allowed to" in a sentence?

Use "not allowed to" to indicate that someone lacks permission or is prohibited from doing something. For example, "You are "not allowed to" enter this area without authorization."

What's a more formal way to say "not allowed to"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "prohibited from" or "not permitted to".

Is it grammatically correct to say "not allow to"?

No, the correct form is "not allowed to". "Allowed" is the past participle of "allow" and is necessary to form the passive voice in this construction.

What is the difference between "not allowed to" and "can't"?

"Can't" is a contraction of "cannot" and indicates an inability or lack of capability. "Not allowed to" indicates a prohibition or lack of permission. While sometimes interchangeable, they have distinct meanings. You might "not be able to" do something due to a physical limitation, but you are "not allowed to" do it due to a rule.