permissible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "permissible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is allowed or permitted within a certain context or set of rules. Example: "The use of cell phones is permissible during breaks, but not during class time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he takes a slightly more pragmatic view on contraception, believing that it can be permissible to prevent the spread of disease.

The Guardian

The minister said Foy's award would stand as the attorney general had advised that the "dishonouring of the judgment by the board was not permissible".

The Guardian - Business

His political writings often pushed to the limits of the permissible: he was an eloquent representative of those party insiders who were critical both of the influence of the military-industrial complex and of Russian nationalist currents within the party.

The Guardian

The boundary between home and away distinguished the permissible from the unconstitutional.

The Guardian - Tech

Then, confusion amongst the workforce about what intelligence activities were permissible "allowed contract analysts and government supervisors to collect information about US persons that fell outside of [a JIEDDO component's] foreign intelligence function".

The Guardian

Names, grades, job titles and annual pay rates for most Senior Civil Servants and NDPB officials with salaries higher than the lowest permissible in Pay Band 1 of the Senior Civil Service pay scale to be published from September 2010.

The Guardian

I predict a rapid adoption of the £7.85-an-hour London living wage in their organisations to raise the permissible take-home pay at the top to £310,000 a year (or £157 an hour).

The Guardian - Business

In Italy, on the other hand, the constitutional court retains considerable power to reign in Berlusconi (and is in fact about to decide whether a government law postponing the Cavaliere's trials until he leaves office is permissible or not).

The Guardian - Opinion

None of these functions are related to JIEDDO's mandate, nor permissible by Defense Department regulation.

The Guardian

Bradvines insisted that "had" could never go before a "past-tense verb", and "developed" is a past-tense verb; therefore "had developed" is not permissible.

The Economist

When the Michigan ban is upheld in June, racial preferences will remain constitutionally permissible elsewhere, but the practice seems likely to peter to a halt well in advance of the 2028 date by which Sandra Day O'Connor once predicted it would no longer be necessary.(Photo credit: AFP).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "permissible" when you need a formal term to indicate that something is allowed, especially according to rules, laws, or regulations. For less formal contexts, consider synonyms like "allowable" or "acceptable".

Common error

Avoid using "permissible" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted in settings where a simpler word like "allowed" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Permissible functions as an adjective. It describes something that is allowed or not forbidden. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English. Examples show it modifying nouns related to actions, activities, or rules, indicating their compliance with a standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "permissible" is a grammatically correct adjective that means something is allowed or permitted. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It's commonly used in news, formal business contexts, and even in scientific discourse. While synonyms like ""allowable"" and "acceptable" exist, "permissible" carries a more formal tone, making it suitable for situations where adherence to rules and regulations is emphasized. Remember to reserve its use for formal settings and avoid overuse in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allowable

Direct synonym, indicating something is allowed by a rule or law.

admissible

Implies something is allowed to be presented or considered, especially in a formal context like a court of law.

acceptable

Indicates something meets a certain standard or is considered satisfactory.

authorized

Suggests something has official approval or permission.

legitimate

Implies something is in accordance with the law or rules.

licit

Formal term meaning not forbidden; lawful.

sanctioned

Indicates something has been officially approved or authorized, often by an authority.

tolerable

Suggests something is bearable or acceptable, though perhaps not ideal.

unobjectionable

Indicates something is not likely to cause disapproval or offense.

within the rules

More verbose, emphasizing that something complies with established regulations.

FAQs

How to use "permissible" in a sentence?

You can use "permissible" to describe actions or activities that are allowed under specific rules or laws. For example: "The use of cell phones is "allowable" during breaks but not during class time."

What can I say instead of "permissible"?

You can use alternatives like ""allowable"", "acceptable", or "authorized" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "permissible"?

"Permissible" is best used in formal contexts where you need to emphasize that something is officially allowed according to a set of rules or regulations.

What's the difference between "permissible" and "permitted"?

While both words indicate that something is allowed, "permissible" is more formal and suggests adherence to a specific set of rules or laws, whereas "permitted" is more general.