to allow us to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to allow us to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing permission or the ability to do something collectively. Example: "The new policy is designed to allow us to work more efficiently and collaboratively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We must use it to allow us to become stronger.

Vice

Some patients also consent to allow us to contact them for follow-up using e-mail.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

"It is not going to allow us to move on".

The New York Times - Sports

"The genius of India is to allow us to exist".

The New York Times

Because there's no stability to allow us to watch football".

The New York Times

"The timing was to allow us to do that".

The New York Times

"That's going to allow us to be exposed to a new market," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

He agreed to allow us to publish more of his images, which we will do shortly.

The New York Times

"We're hoping that a game at home is going to allow us to do that".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's going to allow us to make a little more money," he said.

The New York Times

The trail was often too narrow to allow us to walk side by side.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to allow us to" when you want to clearly state the purpose or reason behind an action, emphasizing that it enables a group to do something. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to allow us to" in conjunction with other phrases that already imply permission or enablement, such as "enable in order to allow us to". This can make your writing sound repetitive and less concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to allow us to" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It connects an action to its intended outcome, indicating what a particular action is meant to enable or permit for a group. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to allow us to" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile expression used to indicate purpose or intended outcome. It's commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts and as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct way to start a phrase. While generally neutral in register, considering alternatives like "to permit us to" for more formal settings is advisable. When using "to allow us to", ensure it connects actions with clear intended outcomes, and avoid redundancy with other phrases that already imply enablement or permission.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to permit us to

Uses "permit" instead of "allow", implying a more formal granting of permission.

to enable us to

Emphasizes the provision of means or opportunity, focusing on capability rather than explicit permission.

in order for us to

Adds a sense of purpose or intention, highlighting the reason for the action being enabled.

so that we can

A more concise and direct way of expressing the purpose, suitable for less formal contexts.

to give us the ability to

Focuses specifically on providing the capability or power to perform an action.

to empower us to

Suggests a stronger sense of enabling, implying the granting of authority or influence.

with the aim of allowing us to

Highlights the intended outcome, emphasizing the goal of enabling the action.

for the purpose of allowing us to

A more formal and elaborate way of stating the intention or objective.

that we may be allowed to

Introduces a degree of uncertainty or possibility, suggesting a request or hope.

so as to allow us to

Similar to "in order to", but slightly more formal and literary.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to allow us to" in a formal context?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "to permit us to" or "in order for us to". These alternatives add a touch of sophistication to your writing.

What's a more direct alternative to "to allow us to"?

For a more straightforward approach, you can use "so that we can". It's concise and conveys the same meaning effectively.

When is it best to use "to allow us to" over "to enable us to"?

"To allow us to" is appropriate when emphasizing permission or authorization, while "to enable us to" focuses on providing the means or capability to do something. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "to allow us to" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "to allow us to" is perfectly acceptable in academic writing. However, for added formality, you might opt for phrases like "to permit us to" or "for the purpose of allowing us to".