Cool MateAllowance vs Concession
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Allowance
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Concession
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
Most formal: ConcessionMost common: Allowance
| Allowance | Concession | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈlaʊəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈlaʊəns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈseʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈseʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | Money given regularly to someone, usually by parents. | An agreement to allow something in order to reach a compromise. |
| Example | His monthly allowance allows him to manage his expenses effectively. | The government made a concession to the workers' demands in order to avoid a strike. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | generous, large, meagre/meager, be entitled to, get, receive, allowance of, allowance for, baggage, tax, holiday, be entitled to, get, have, recommended daily allowance | important, key, major, grant (somebody/something), make, offer (somebody/something), concession on, concession to, make no concessions to somebody/something, important, key, major, grant (somebody/something), make, offer (somebody/something), concession on, concession to, make no concessions to somebody/something, tax, travel, be available to, trade, logging, oil, grant (somebody/something), obtain, secure, trade, logging, oil, grant (somebody/something), obtain, secure |
| Antonyms | penalty, deduction | refusal, denial |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'alliance' - similar sounds but different meanings., Using 'allowance' in a formal financial context when it typically refers to personal or family budgeting., Mixing up the meaning with 'allowing', which is a verb. | Confused with 'confession' which has a different meaning., Using 'concession' in informal conversations where simpler terms might fit better., Mispronouncing it as 'con-cession' instead of 'con-cess-ion'. |
| Usage notes | Typically used in the context of children receiving money from parents for spending. Not commonly used in formal financial discussions. | Typically used in formal contexts such as negotiations, debates, or discussions. It may sound out of place in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Allowance vs Concession
What's the difference between Allowance and Concession?
Allowance: Money given regularly to someone, usually by parents. Concession: An agreement to allow something in order to reach a compromise.
Which is more formal: Allowance and Concession?
Concession is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Allowance and Concession?
Allowance is the most common in everyday English.
Are Allowance and Concession the same CEFR level?
Allowance: C1, Concession: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Allowance and Concession interchangeably?
Not always. Allowance and Concession 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.