allow
verb OPAL W
/əˈlaʊ/
/əˈlaʊ/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they allow | /əˈlaʊ/ /əˈlaʊ/ |
| he / she / it allows | /əˈlaʊz/ /əˈlaʊz/ |
| past simple allowed | /əˈlaʊd/ /əˈlaʊd/ |
| past participle allowed | /əˈlaʊd/ /əˈlaʊd/ |
| -ing form allowing | /əˈlaʊɪŋ/ /əˈlaʊɪŋ/ |
- to let somebody/something do something; to let something happen or be done
- allow somebody/something to do something His parents won't allow him to stay out late.
- He allowed his mind to wander.
- The law allowed companies to dismiss workers without any reason.
- be allowed to do something He is not allowed to stay out late.
- Students are only allowed to use the equipment under supervision.
- This research must be allowed to continue.
- allow yourself to do something He refused to allow himself to be kept quiet.
- She won't allow herself to be dictated to.
- be allowed Eating is not allowed in the classrooms.
- He received the maximum sentence allowed by law.
- allow something We do not allow eating in the classrooms.
Homophones allowed | aloudallowed aloudTopics Permission and obligationa2/əˈlaʊd//əˈlaʊd/- allowed verb (past tense, past participle of allow)
- We aren't allowed out after 10 p.m.
- aloud adverb
- The film made me laugh aloud.
Extra Examples- You are not allowed to ride bicycles on a motorway.
- They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it.
- This kind of activity is not legally allowed under the current rules.
- allow somebody/yourself something to let somebody have something
- You're allowed an hour to complete the test.
- I'm not allowed visitors.
- I allow myself a treat now and then.
- I sometimes allow myself the luxury of a cigar.
- [usually passive] to let somebody/something go into, through, out of, etc. a place
- (be) allowed No dogs allowed (= you cannot bring them in).
- be allowed + adv./prep. The prisoners are allowed out of their cells for two hours a day.
- They weren't allowed into the country.
- He was knocking at the door waiting to be allowed in.
- You won't be allowed up (= out of bed) for several days.
- allow somebody/something + adv.prep. The crowd parted to allow her through.
Extra Examples- Motor vehicles are not allowed in the park.
- We aren't allowed out after 10 p.m.
- to make something possible
- allow something A ramp allows easy access for wheelchairs.
- allow somebody something The system allows people the opportunity to browse a wide selection of books.
- allow somebody to do something The new technology allows users to choose exactly what they watch and when.
Language Bank processprocessDescribing a process- This diagram illustrates the process of paper-making./This diagram shows how paper is made.
- First/First of all, logs are delivered to a paper mill, where the bark is removed and the wood is cut into small chips.
- Next/Second, the wood chips are pulped, either using chemicals or in a pulping machine.
- Pulping breaks down the internal structure of the wood and enables/allows the natural oils to be removed.
- Once/After the wood has been pulped, the pulp is bleached in order to remove impurities. /…is bleached so that impurities can be removed.
- The next stage is to feed the pulp into the paper machine, where it is mixed with water and then poured onto a wire conveyor belt.
- As the pulp travels along the conveyor belt, the water drains away. This causes the solid material to sink to the bottom, forming a layer of paper.
- At this point the new paper is still wet, so it is passed between large heated rollers, which press out the remaining water and simultaneously dry the paper/…dry the paper at the same time.
- The final stage is to wind the paper onto large rolls./Finally, the paper is wound onto large rolls.
Extra Examples- The pressure cooker is designed to allow faster cooking at lower temperatures.
- The increased space allows powerful search features to be incorporated.
- The new community centre will allow people to meet up more and enjoy themselves.
- Wear clothing that allows easy movement.
- allow something (for somebody/something) to make sure that you have enough of something for a particular purpose
- How much time would you allow for the trip?
- You need to allow three metres of fabric for the dress.
- (formal) to accept or admit something; to agree that something is true or correct
- allow something The judge allowed my claim.
- (= in a court of law) ‘Objection!’ ‘I'll allow it.’
- allow that… He refuses to allow that such a situation could arise.
- allow somebody something She was very helpful when my mother was ill—I'll allow you that.
let somebody/something do something
make possible
time/money/food, etc.
accept/admit
Word OriginMiddle English (originally in the senses ‘commend, sanction’ and ‘assign as a right’): from Old French alouer, from Latin allaudare ‘to praise’, reinforced by medieval Latin allocare ‘to place’, from ad- ‘to’ + locare, from locus ‘place’.
Idioms
allow me
- used to offer help politely
- ‘Allow me,’ he said, taking the tray from her.
Wordfinder
- allow
- emancipation
- freedom
- imprisonment
- independence
- liberty
- oppress
- restriction
- rule
- slave
give/allow somebody/something free/full rein | give/allow free/full rein to something
- to give somebody complete freedom of action; to allow a feeling to be expressed freely
- The designer was given free rein.
- The script allows full rein to her larger-than-life acting style.
- When I paint I just give my imagination free rein.