Cool MateAllow vs Authorize vs Enable vs Grant vs I'll let that boat live vs Permit
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
Grant
FormalTop 2,000 (common)B2verb
I'll let that boat live
Top 2,000 (common)
Permit
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
| Allow | Authorize | Enable | Grant | I'll let that boat live | Permit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɡrɑːnt/","/ɡrɑːnts/","/ˈɡrɑːntɪd/","/ˈɡrɑːntɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡrænt/","/ɡrænts/","/ˈɡræntɪd/","/ˈɡræntɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lɛt//🇺🇸 //lɛt// | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈmɪt/","/pəˈmɪts/","/pəˈmɪtɪd/","/pəˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈmɪt/","/pərˈmɪts/","/pərˈmɪtɪd/","/pərˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to let someone do something | To give permission or power to do something. | To make something possible or easy to do. | To give something, especially officially. | I will allow that boat to survive. | To allow something to happen. |
| 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 teacher decided to grant the students extra time for their assignment. | I'll let that boat live to explore the waters. | The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal | Neutral | Formal | 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 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 | B2 | B2 | - | 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 | expressly, specifically, automatically, agree to, decide to, refuse to, expressly, specifically, automatically, agree to, decide to, refuse to | let someone in, let it go, let it happen | legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to, legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to |
| Antonyms | forbid, prohibit, restrict | prohibit, forbid, disallow | disable, prohibit | revoke, withhold | - | 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 'granted' which is the past tense., Using 'grant' without an object., Mixing up 'grant' with 'gift', thinking they are interchangeable. | Confusing 'let' with 'allow' in formal texts., Using 'letting' instead of 'let' when giving permission., Misplacing the object in the sentence. | 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. |
| 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. | Typically used in formal contexts such as legal or educational settings. Avoid in casual conversations. | Use 'let' in casual contexts when giving permission or allowing something to happen. It's less formal compared to 'permit'. | Use 'permit' in formal contexts, such as legal or official situations. It's less common in casual conversation, where 'let' might be more appropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: Allow vs Authorize vs Enable vs Grant vs I'll let that boat live vs Permit
What's the difference between Allow, Authorize, Enable, Grant, I'll let that boat live, and Permit?
Allow: to let someone do something Authorize: To give permission or power to do something. Enable: To make something possible or easy to do. Grant: To give something, especially officially. I'll let that boat live: I will allow that boat to survive. Permit: To allow something to happen.
Which is more advanced: Allow, Authorize, Enable, Grant, I'll let that boat live, and Permit?
Authorize is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
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. Grant: The teacher decided to grant the students extra time for their assignment. I'll let that boat live: I'll let that boat live to explore the waters. Permit: The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time.
Can I use Allow, Authorize, Enable, Grant, I'll let that boat live, and Permit interchangeably?
Not always. Allow, Authorize, Enable, Grant, I'll let that boat live, and Permit 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.