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Allow, permit or let?

Allow, permit and let are verbs that all have a similar meaning: ‘give permission or make it possible for somebody to do or have something’.

Permit is more formal than allow. Allow is more formal than let:

  • The University has established a Museums Committee to permit more formal discussion of common problems amongst its museums.
  • The plan for Heathrow will allow airport operator BAA to build a third, shorter runway.
  • Will you let me pay for the meal?
  • Let me show you how to open it. It’s a bit tricky.

Permit/allow someone + to do something​

We use a direct object + to-infinitive after permit and allow:

  • [from a newspaper report about a rugby player]
  • He has not decided yet whether his leg injury will permit him to play this weekend.
  • I would not allow a child to have a TV or a computer in their room.

Let someone + do something​

We use an infinitive without to after let:

  • [child to parent]
  • Why don’t you let me go? All my friends are going.
  • We don’t let employees use the office telephone for personal calls.

Passive with permit and allow​

We often use the passive with permit and allow. Permit is often used for official public notices:

  • Photography is permitted for non-commercial use only.
  • [talking about a diet]
  • You*’re allowed** to eat as much fruit as you like.*
  • We’re not allowed to put posters on the walls.
warning

We don’t usually use the passive with let:

  • The children were allowed to do whatever they wanted.
  • Not: The children were let do …
See also
  • Make
  • Permit or permission?