Cool MatePass vs Permit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pass
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Permit
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Pass
| Pass | Permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/pɑːs/","/ˈpɑːsɪz/","/pɑːst/","/ˈpɑːsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pæs/","/ˈpæsɪz/","/pæst/","/ˈpæsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈmɪt/","/pəˈmɪts/","/pəˈmɪtɪd/","/pəˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈmɪt/","/pərˈmɪts/","/pərˈmɪtɪd/","/pərˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To move past something or someone, or to allow something to happen. | To allow something to happen. |
| Example | I will pass the ball to you during the game. | 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 | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | quickly, rapidly, soon, help (to), quickly, rapidly, soon, help (to), unanimously, overwhelmingly, narrowly, by… to…, peacefully, come to, let something, between, pass unnoticed | legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to, legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to |
| Antonyms | stop, hold, block | forbid, prohibit, ban |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'pass' with 'past' in writing., Using 'pass' without an object when it requires one., Mixing up the different meanings of 'pass' in verbal contexts. | 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 | Commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. Can refer to physical movement or to allowing someone to take a turn (e.g., in games). Not typically used in very formal writing when describing decisions. | 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: Pass vs Permit
What's the difference between Pass and Permit?
Pass: To move past something or someone, or to allow something to happen. Permit: To allow something to happen.
Which is more common: Pass and Permit?
Pass is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Pass and Permit?
Permit is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Pass and Permit the same CEFR level?
Pass: A2, Permit: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Pass and Permit?
Pass: verb, Permit: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Pass: I will pass the ball to you during the game. Permit: The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time.
Can I use Pass and Permit interchangeably?
Not always. Pass 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.