English verbs: ALLOW and PERMIT

In this English lesson, you will learn the form, meaning and uses of the verbs “allow” and “permit”.

Both of these verbs are regular verbs.

Form of allow

Base form: allow
Past simple: allowed
Past participle: allowed

Form of permit

Base form: permit
Past simple: permitted
Past participle: permitted

Meaning of verbs “allow” and “permit”

The general meaning of both of these English verbs is:

• give permission to do something.
• make it possible for somebody to do something.

“permit” is more formal than “allow“.

“permit” and “allow” use the same structures. Let’s look at them in detail.

Structures in the active voice

allow / permit + ING form of verb

Example sentences in the affirmative:

The company allows smoking in the car park.
The hospital permits smoking in the car park.

Example sentences in the negative:

The company does not allow smoking in the office.
The teacher does not permit talking in the exam room.

allow / permit + object + infinitive

Examples:

The money will allow me to buy a car.
The new office will permit the company to grow.
The company allows employees to smoke in the car park.
The company does not permit employees to smoke in the office.

Structures in the passive voice

Gerund + verb BE + past participle of “allow” / “permit”

Examples:
Smoking is allowed in the car park.
Smoking is not permitted in the office.

Talking is not allowed in the exam room.

Questions:
Is smoking allowed in the meeting room?
Is talking permitted in the exam room?

Person + verb BE + past participle of “allow” / “permit” + infinitive

You are allowed to smoke in the car park.
Students are not permitted to talk in the exam room.

Questions:
Are we allowed to smoke?
Are students permitted to talk in the exam room?

Lesson and exercises on Youtube