Cool MateAllow vs Enable vs Facilitate vs Grant vs Let her ask
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Allow
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Enable
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Facilitate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Grant
FormalTop 2,000 (common)B2verb
Let her ask
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Grant
| Allow | Enable | Facilitate | Grant | Let her ask | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈlaʊ/","/əˈlaʊz/","/əˈlaʊd/","/əˈlaʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈlaʊ/","/əˈlaʊz/","/əˈlaʊd/","/əˈlaʊɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈneɪbl/","/ɪˈneɪblz/","/ɪˈneɪbld/","/ɪˈneɪblɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈneɪbl/","/ɪˈneɪblz/","/ɪˈneɪbld/","/ɪˈneɪblɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪts/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪd/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪts/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪd/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɡrɑːnt/","/ɡrɑːnts/","/ˈɡrɑːntɪd/","/ˈɡrɑːntɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡrænt/","/ɡrænts/","/ˈɡræntɪd/","/ˈɡræntɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lɛt hɜːr ɑːsk//🇺🇸 //lɛt hɜr æsk// |
| Meaning | to let someone do something | To make something possible or easy to do. | To make a process easier or help someone do something. | To give something, especially officially. | Allow her to ask something. |
| Example | Please allow me to explain my point of view. | The new software will enable users to perform tasks more efficiently. | The new trade agreement should facilitate more rapid economic growth. | The teacher decided to grant the students extra time for their assignment. | I will let her ask her question now. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 | C1 | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | allow access, allow time, allow someone to do something, allow for mistakes, allow room | enable technology, enable access, enable features, enable growth, enable communication | greatly, further, be designed to, help (to) | expressly, specifically, automatically, agree to, decide to, refuse to, expressly, specifically, automatically, agree to, decide to, refuse to | let someone ask, let her speak, let them inquire, let us know, let you express |
| Antonyms | forbid, prohibit, restrict | disable, prohibit | hinder, obstruct, impede | revoke, withhold | - |
| 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. | 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 'granted' which is the past tense., Using 'grant' without an object., Mixing up 'grant' with 'gift', thinking they are interchangeable. | Confusing 'let' with 'make', which implies force instead of permission., Omitting the subject or verb in instruction., Using 'let' with the wrong verb form after the object. |
| 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 '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. | Typically used in formal contexts such as legal or educational settings. Avoid in casual conversations. | Used to grant permission. It's appropriate in casual conversations but can be used in more formal settings depending on tone. |
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Frequently asked questions: Allow vs Enable vs Facilitate vs Grant vs Let her ask
What's the difference between Allow, Enable, Facilitate, Grant, and Let her ask?
Allow: to let someone do something Enable: To make something possible or easy to do. Facilitate: To make a process easier or help someone do something. Grant: To give something, especially officially. Let her ask: Allow her to ask something.
Which is more formal: Allow, Enable, Facilitate, Grant, and Let her ask?
Grant is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Allow, Enable, Facilitate, Grant, and Let her ask?
Facilitate 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. Enable: The new software will enable users to perform tasks more efficiently. Facilitate: The new trade agreement should facilitate more rapid economic growth. Grant: The teacher decided to grant the students extra time for their assignment. Let her ask: I will let her ask her question now.
Can I use Allow, Enable, Facilitate, Grant, and Let her ask interchangeably?
Not always. Allow, Enable, Facilitate, Grant, and Let her ask 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.