Cool MateApprove vs Permit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Approve
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Permit
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Approve
| Approve | Permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈpruːv/","/əˈpruːvz/","/əˈpruːvd/","/əˈpruːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpruːv/","/əˈpruːvz/","/əˈpruːvd/","/əˈpruːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈmɪt/","/pəˈmɪts/","/pəˈmɪtɪd/","/pəˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈmɪt/","/pərˈmɪts/","/pərˈmɪtɪd/","/pərˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To agree with something or say it is okay. | To allow something to happen. |
| Example | The committee will approve the new policy next week. | The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | fully, heartily, strongly, of, formally, officially, federally | legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to, legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to |
| Antonyms | disapprove, reject, deny | forbid, prohibit, ban |
| Common mistakes | 'Approve of' vs 'approve'. Learners may incorrectly use 'approve of' when not necessary., Confusing 'approve' with 'accept'. They have different meanings., Using 'approving' incorrectly as a noun rather than as a verb. | 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 'approve' when formally agreeing to plans, ideas, or documents, typically in work or legal contexts. Avoid in informal conversations where 'okay' or 'sure' might be more appropriate. | Use 'permit' in formal contexts, such as legal or official situations. It's less common in casual conversation, where 'let' might be more appropriate. |
Frequently asked questions: Approve vs Permit
What's the difference between Approve and Permit?
Approve: To agree with something or say it is okay. Permit: To allow something to happen.
Which is more common: Approve and Permit?
Approve is the most common in everyday English.
Are Approve and Permit the same CEFR level?
Approve: B2, Permit: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Approve and Permit interchangeably?
Not always. Approve 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.