would permit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would permit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a conditional allowance or permission in hypothetical situations. Example: "If the weather is good, it would permit us to hold the event outdoors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your reasoning would permit that….

The Guardian

That would permit higher yields.

MIT Technology Review

I would permit a married clergy.

The New York Times - Magazine

The proposed change would permit more disclosure.

The New York Times

"But your reasoning would permit that," Kennedy followed up.

The New Yorker

The E.P.A.'s decision would permit, but not require, E15.

The New York Times

Both resolutions would permit the unrestricted cloning of animals.

The New York Times

But many states would permit that technical advance.

The New York Times - Tech

Money would permit the hiring of more doctors and nurses.

The New York Times

It also remains larger than zoning rules would permit.

The New York Times

Whatever he returned would permit the game to succeed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would permit" when you want to express a conditional allowance or permission in a hypothetical or future scenario. It is suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "would permit" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "would allow" or "would let" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would permit" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating conditional possibility or permission. It suggests that under certain circumstances, something is allowed or enabled. Ludwig shows that it appears frequently across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would permit" is a grammatically sound and frequently used modal verb phrase that expresses a conditional allowance or possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is most commonly found in news, media, science and formal business contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "would allow" or "would enable", "would permit" carries a slightly more formal tone. When aiming for clear and precise communication in professional or academic settings, "would permit" is a reliable choice. However, simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would allow

Replaces "permit" with a more common synonym, suggesting a general allowance or possibility.

would enable

Suggests facilitating or making something possible, focusing on the enablement aspect rather than direct permission.

would authorize

Implies a formal or official approval, suggesting a higher degree of authority.

would license

Similar to authorize, but specifically related to granting a license or formal permission to do something.

would sanction

Conveys a sense of formal approval or endorsement, often by an authority.

would give leave to

A more formal way of saying "would allow", indicating permission or consent.

would make possible

Shifts the focus to the resulting possibility or opportunity rather than the act of permitting.

would open the door to

Idiomatic expression suggesting a new opportunity or possibility resulting from a specific action.

would give the green light to

Idiomatic expression implying approval to proceed, often in a project or initiative.

would not preclude

Suggests that something is not prevented, rather than actively permitted.

FAQs

How can I use "would permit" in a sentence?

You can use "would permit" to describe a hypothetical allowance or possibility. For example, "If the weather improves, it would permit us to have the picnic outside."

What are some alternatives to "would permit"?

Alternatives to "would permit" include "would allow", "would enable", or "would authorize", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it best to use "would permit" over "would allow"?

"Would permit" is generally more formal than "would allow". Use "would permit" in professional or academic writing where a more formal tone is appropriate.

Is "would permit of" grammatically correct?

While "permit of" was once acceptable, it's now archaic. Use "would permit" directly followed by the object instead. For example, "The rules would permit changes" is preferred over "The rules would permit of changes".