would not permit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would not permit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a refusal or denial of permission in various contexts, often in formal or legal language. Example: "The school would not permit students to leave the campus during lunch hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He would not permit casinos downstate for five years.

The New York Times

They would not permit the left to destroy itself.

The New Yorker

It said it would not permit any gallon jugs.

The New York Times

This is a vanity Martha would not permit.

The New York Times - Arts

"We would not permit a government without Chávez".

The New York Times

It would not permit them to remove the tapes.

The New York Times

The Interior Ministry said it would not permit it.

The New York Times

Milwaukee officials would not permit Sunday's participants to be interviewed, citing a sort of sausage silence.

The New York Times - Sports

But they often said the authorities would not permit him to win.

The New York Times

The inevitable response is that an all-good God would not permit such a thing.

The New York Times

"The military, economic, political and cultural conditions of the contemporary world would not permit it.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would not permit" to convey a formal or authoritative denial of permission. It's suitable for legal, official, or serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "would not permit" in everyday conversation. Phrases like "didn't allow" or "wouldn't let" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would not permit" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a prohibition or refusal. It expresses the absence of permission for something to occur, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would not permit" is a modal verb phrase used to express a formal denial of permission. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. While "did not allow" serves as a common alternative, "would not permit" often carries a stronger sense of authority or official rejection. For everyday conversation, less formal options might be more suitable. Remember to use "would not permit" to convey authority. It is an important phrase to master.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not allow

This alternative is a more direct and commonly used way of expressing a lack of permission.

refused to allow

This emphasizes the act of refusing and can indicate resistance.

did not grant permission

This is a more formal and explicit way of stating that permission was refused.

did not authorize

This implies a formal lack of approval or endorsement.

declined to approve

This indicates a formal decision not to give approval.

prohibited

This suggests a formal or legal ban on something.

did not consent to

This emphasizes a lack of agreement or approval for something.

forbade

A more formal and somewhat archaic term for prohibiting something.

rejected

Implies a clear denial or refusal of a request or proposal.

vetoed

Suggests a formal rejection of a decision or action, often in a political context.

FAQs

What does "would not permit" mean?

The phrase "would not permit" means to refuse to allow something or to deny permission for something to happen. It often implies a formal or authoritative refusal.

How can I use "would not permit" in a sentence?

You can use "would not permit" in a sentence to indicate that someone in authority is not allowing something. For example: "The school "would not permit" students to use their phones during class."

What can I say instead of "would not permit"?

You can use alternatives like "did not allow", "refused to allow", or "did not authorize" depending on the context.

Is "would not permit" more formal than "would not allow"?

Yes, "would not permit" is generally considered more formal than "would not allow". "Would not permit" is often used in legal or official contexts, while "would not allow" is more common in everyday language.