Cool MateAllowed vs Enabled vs I let frodo go vs Permitted
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Allowed
Enabled
I let frodo go
Permitted
| Allowed | Enabled | I let frodo go | Permitted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈlaʊd//🇺🇸 //əˈlaʊd// | 🇬🇧 //ɪˈneɪbld//🇺🇸 //ɪˈneɪbld// | 🇬🇧 //aɪ lɛt ˈfroʊdoʊ ɡoʊ//🇺🇸 //aɪ lɛt ˈfroʊdoʊ ɡoʊ// | 🇬🇧 //pəˈmɪtɪd//🇺🇸 //pəˈmɪtɪd// |
| Meaning | It means something is okay or permitted. | To make something possible or easier. | I allowed Frodo to leave. | Allowed or given permission to do something. |
| Example | Students are allowed to use calculators during the exam. | The new software update has enabled faster processing speeds. | I really had to trust him, so I let Frodo go. | Only employees are permitted to enter the restricted area. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | allowed to enter, not allowed, allowed to play, legally allowed, always allowed | enable features, enable access, enable options, enable functions, enable communication | let someone go, let go of worries, let him leave | be permitted to do something, not permitted, only permitted, permitted by law, permitted activities |
| Antonyms | prohibited, forbidden | disabled, prevented, prohibited, restricted | prevent, forbid, stop | prohibited, forbidden, restricted |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'allowed' with 'aloud' (which means spoken out loud)., Using 'allowed' without the preposition 'to' when indicating permission (e.g., 'I am allowed go' instead of 'I am allowed to go')., Incorrectly using 'allowed' for abilities instead of permissions (e.g., 'He is allowed play soccer' instead of 'He is allowed to play soccer'). | Confused with 'abled' (which is not a standard term)., Using 'enable' incorrectly as a noun instead of a verb., 'Enabled' used with the wrong tense. | Confused with 'let' vs 'make' - 'let' means to allow, 'make' means to force., Omitting the object - saying 'I let go' can be unclear. | Confusing with 'allowed' as they are similar but 'permitted' is more formal., Using 'permitted' in informal contexts where 'allowed' is more appropriate., Incorrectly conjugating it as 'permit' instead of 'permitted' in past contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts where permission is given. It's neutral, so it can be used in formal or informal situations, but be cautious in legal contexts. | Commonly used in technology contexts, but can also refer to empowering people or systems. Avoid in overly casual conversations. | Use in situations where permission is given. Suitable for story-telling or informal conversation but may be less common in formal writing. | Use 'permitted' in formal contexts, such as legal or official discussions. Avoid using it in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Allowed vs Enabled vs I let frodo go vs Permitted
What's the difference between Allowed, Enabled, I let frodo go, and Permitted?
Allowed: It means something is okay or permitted. Enabled: To make something possible or easier. I let frodo go: I allowed Frodo to leave. Permitted: Allowed or given permission to do something.
Can you show an example of each?
Allowed: Students are allowed to use calculators during the exam. Enabled: The new software update has enabled faster processing speeds. I let frodo go: I really had to trust him, so I let Frodo go. Permitted: Only employees are permitted to enter the restricted area.
Can I use Allowed, Enabled, I let frodo go, and Permitted interchangeably?
Not always. Allowed, Enabled, I let frodo go, and Permitted 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.