Cool MateAllowed vs Not breaking any laws
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Allowed
Top 2,000 (common)
Not breaking any laws
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Allowed
| Allowed | Not breaking any laws | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈlaʊd//🇺🇸 //əˈlaʊd// | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈbreɪkɪŋ ˈɛni lɔːz//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈbreɪkɪŋ ˈɛni lɔz// |
| Meaning | It means something is okay or permitted. | Following the rules and not doing anything illegal. |
| Example | Students are allowed to use calculators during the exam. | I ensured that my business is not breaking any laws after the audit. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | allowed to enter, not allowed, allowed to play, legally allowed, always allowed | law enforcement, legal advice, follow the law, legal obligations, lawful behavior |
| Antonyms | prohibited, forbidden | - |
| 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 'not violating any rules' - it's more specific to laws., Using it in a sarcastic tone can mislead the meaning., Omitting 'any laws' can change the intended meaning. |
| 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. | Use this phrase to express compliance with legal standards. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Allowed vs Not breaking any laws
What's the difference between Allowed and Not breaking any laws?
Allowed: It means something is okay or permitted. Not breaking any laws: Following the rules and not doing anything illegal.
Which is more common: Allowed and Not breaking any laws?
Allowed is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Allowed: Students are allowed to use calculators during the exam. Not breaking any laws: I ensured that my business is not breaking any laws after the audit.
Can I use Allowed and Not breaking any laws interchangeably?
Not always. Allowed and Not breaking any laws 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.