Consent vs Permission
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
| Consent | Permission | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Permission to do something. | Being allowed to do something |
| Register | formal | - |
| CEFR level | C1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in legal, medical, and ethical contexts. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing serious topics. | Use 'permission' when talking about getting approval for an action. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in slang settings. |
Frequently asked questions: Consent vs Permission
What's the difference between "Consent" and "Permission"?
"Consent" means: Permission to do something. "Permission" means: Being allowed to do something
When should I use "Consent" and "Permission"?
"Consent" is formal.
Are "Consent" and "Permission" the same CEFR level?
"Consent" is at C1, "Permission" is at A2 on the CEFR scale.