Agreement vs Permission

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

 AgreementPermission
MeaningA decision or understanding made by two or more people.Being allowed to do something
CEFR levelB1A2
Part of speechnounnoun
Usage notesUsed when talking about decisions made together. Appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid in very informal settings where simpler words might suffice.Use 'permission' when talking about getting approval for an action. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in slang settings.

Frequently asked questions: Agreement vs Permission

What's the difference between "Agreement" and "Permission"?

"Agreement" means: A decision or understanding made by two or more people. "Permission" means: Being allowed to do something

When should I use "Agreement" and "Permission"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Agreement" and "Permission" the same CEFR level?

"Agreement" is at B1, "Permission" is at A2 on the CEFR scale.

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