not being allowed

USAGE SUMMARY

"not being allowed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to being denied permission or access to something. For example, "The strict parents would not allow their children to go to the amusement park, so the kids were disappointed at not being allowed to go."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're not being allowed to".

The New York Times - Sports

not being allowed to say everything.

The Guardian - Books

So much for children not being allowed.

The New York Times - Travel

He resented not being allowed to carry arms.

The New York Times

*Players not being allowed to stop behind their own nets.

The New York Times - Sports

It's about doctors not being allowed to lie to parents".

The Guardian

So why is he not being allowed to leave?

The Guardian - Opinion

He's not being allowed to play tonight is he?

The Guardian - Sport

A group of boys were not being allowed into class.

The New Yorker

"Not being allowed to use the Internet is kind of like not being allowed to use a telephone," Mr. Mitnick said today in a phone interview.

The New York Times

"Not being allowed these changes is not critical, but will continue to challenge us.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not being allowed" to clearly express that someone or something is denied permission or opportunity. It is especially effective in contexts where the denial is unexpected or controversial.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overuse of "not being allowed" in highly formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "prohibited" or "restricted" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "not being allowed" is as part of a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of being disallowed or prohibited. Ludwig shows its wide usage in expressing restrictions and denied permissions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not being allowed" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to express a lack of permission or opportunity. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to indicate restrictions, and it is mostly found in News & Media sources. While generally versatile, it's important to consider context and choose more formal alternatives like "prohibited" in academic writing. Overall, it is a useful phrase for clearly conveying limitations and denials.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not permitted

Indicates a lack of official consent.

being prohibited

Focuses on a formal ban or restriction.

being forbidden

Emphasizes a stronger, more authoritative prohibition.

not authorized

Highlights the absence of formal approval.

being restricted

Highlights limitations placed on actions or access.

being prevented

Focuses on the act of stopping something from happening.

being barred

Implies exclusion from a place or activity.

being denied

Emphasizes the refusal of a request or opportunity.

not entitled

Suggests a lack of inherent right or qualification.

precluded from

Implies that something makes an action impossible.

FAQs

What does "not being allowed" mean?

The phrase "not being allowed" means that someone or something is being denied permission or the opportunity to do something. It indicates a restriction or prohibition is in place.

What can I say instead of "not being allowed"?

You can use alternatives like "being prohibited", "being forbidden", or "not permitted" depending on the context.

How to use "not being allowed" in a sentence?

Example: "The students were "not being allowed" to use their phones during the exam." This shows a rule or restriction is in place.

Is "not being allowed" formal or informal?

The phrase "not being allowed" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, alternatives like "prohibited" may be more appropriate.