Cool MateAllow vs Authorize vs Enable vs Facilitate vs Permit vs You let five people die
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Allow
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Authorize
FormalTop 2,000 (common)C1verb
Enable
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Facilitate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Permit
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
You let five people die
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: Authorize
| Allow | Authorize | Enable | Facilitate | Permit | You let five people die | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈlaʊ/","/əˈlaʊz/","/əˈlaʊd/","/əˈlaʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈlaʊ/","/əˈlaʊz/","/əˈlaʊd/","/əˈlaʊɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːθəraɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzd/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːθəraɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪz/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzd/","/ˈɔːθəraɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈneɪbl/","/ɪˈneɪblz/","/ɪˈneɪbld/","/ɪˈneɪblɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈneɪbl/","/ɪˈneɪblz/","/ɪˈneɪbld/","/ɪˈneɪblɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪts/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪd/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪts/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪd/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈmɪt/","/pəˈmɪts/","/pəˈmɪtɪd/","/pəˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈmɪt/","/pərˈmɪts/","/pərˈmɪtɪd/","/pərˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ lɛt faɪv ˈpiːpəl daɪ//🇺🇸 //ju lɛt faɪv ˈpipəl daɪ// |
| Meaning | to let someone do something | To give permission or power to do something. | To make something possible or easy to do. | To make a process easier or help someone do something. | To allow something to happen. | You allowed five people to die. |
| Example | Please allow me to explain my point of view. | I can authorize payments up to £5 000. | The new software will enable users to perform tasks more efficiently. | The new trade agreement should facilitate more rapid economic growth. | The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time. | You let five people die in the accident last year. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 | B2 | C1 | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | allow access, allow time, allow someone to do something, allow for mistakes, allow room | authorize access, authorize a transaction, authorize a request, authorize changes | enable technology, enable access, enable features, enable growth, enable communication | greatly, further, be designed to, help (to) | legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to, legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to | let go, let in, let down, let be, let loose |
| Antonyms | forbid, prohibit, restrict | prohibit, forbid, disallow | disable, prohibit | hinder, obstruct, impede | forbid, prohibit, ban | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'allow' without an object (e.g., say 'allow me to help' instead of just 'allow')., Confusing 'allow' with 'let' - 'let' is more informal., Mixing up the structure, such as omitting 'to' before the verb. | Confusing 'authorize' with 'authentic' as they have different meanings., Using 'authorize' without an object when it needs one (e.g., 'authorize access' not just 'authorize')., Mixing up 'authorize' with 'permit', which can have slightly different uses. | Confused with 'enable' vs 'enable to' — remember 'enable' is followed directly by the object., Using 'enabled' incorrectly in present tense — it should match the subject in tense., Mixing up 'enable' and 'allow' — 'enable' implies making possible, while 'allow' means giving permission. | Confused with 'facilitate' and 'facilitator' - remember 'facilitate' is a verb., Using 'facilitate' without an object - always specify what you're making easier., Mispronouncing the word - ensure the emphasis is on the 'cil' part. | Confused with 'allow' - 'permit' is often more formal., Using 'permit' incorrectly in passive voice without clear subject., Using 'permit' without an object, forgetting what is being permitted. | Confused with 'let' vs 'allow', thinking they mean entirely the same., Using 'let' in passive voice incorrectly., Incorrect verb form after 'let', such as 'letted' instead of 'let'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'allow' in contexts where you are giving permission. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, but for severe situations or commands, consider using stronger words like 'permit'. Avoid using it in very casual exchanges. | Use 'authorize' in formal settings when discussing permission or approval, such as in business, law, or official documents. Avoid in casual conversations. | Use 'enable' when discussing technology, permissions, or abilities. It's suitable in both written and spoken contexts. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. | Use 'facilitate' in professional or academic settings. It sounds formal, so avoid it in casual conversations. It’s appropriate when discussing meetings, projects, or learning environments. | Use 'permit' in formal contexts, such as legal or official situations. It's less common in casual conversation, where 'let' might be more appropriate. | Use 'let' in contexts where permission or allowance is implied. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Allow vs Authorize vs Enable vs Facilitate vs Permit vs You let five people die
What's the difference between Allow, Authorize, Enable, Facilitate, Permit, and You let five people die?
Allow: to let someone do something Authorize: To give permission or power to do something. Enable: To make something possible or easy to do. Facilitate: To make a process easier or help someone do something. Permit: To allow something to happen. You let five people die: You allowed five people to die.
Which is more formal: Allow, Authorize, Enable, Facilitate, Permit, and You let five people die?
Authorize is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Allow: Please allow me to explain my point of view. Authorize: I can authorize payments up to £5 000. Enable: The new software will enable users to perform tasks more efficiently. Facilitate: The new trade agreement should facilitate more rapid economic growth. Permit: The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time. You let five people die: You let five people die in the accident last year.
Can I use Allow, Authorize, Enable, Facilitate, Permit, and You let five people die interchangeably?
Not always. Allow, Authorize, Enable, Facilitate, Permit, and You let five people die are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.