Cool MateAllow vs You just let him come
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Allow
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
You just let him come
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Allow
| Allow | You just let him come | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈlaʊ/","/əˈlaʊz/","/əˈlaʊd/","/əˈlaʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈlaʊ/","/əˈlaʊz/","/əˈlaʊd/","/əˈlaʊɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lɛt//🇺🇸 //lɛt// |
| Meaning | to let someone do something | You allowed him to come. |
| Example | Please allow me to explain my point of view. | You just let him come to the party last night. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | allow access, allow time, allow someone to do something, allow for mistakes, allow room | let someone go, let someone know, let things happen, let it be, let someone down |
| Antonyms | forbid, prohibit, restrict | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'allow' without an object (e.g., say 'allow me to help' instead of just 'allow')., Confusing 'allow' with 'let' - 'let' is more informal., Mixing up the structure, such as omitting 'to' before the verb. | 'Let' is often confused with 'allow' or 'make'., Incorrect verb forms after 'let', such as 'letting him to come'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'allow' in contexts where you are giving permission. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, but for severe situations or commands, consider using stronger words like 'permit'. Avoid using it in very casual exchanges. | Use 'let' to indicate giving permission. It's less formal than 'allow'. Avoid in highly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Allow vs You just let him come
What's the difference between Allow and You just let him come?
Allow: to let someone do something You just let him come: You allowed him to come.
Which is more common: Allow and You just let him come?
Allow is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Allow: Please allow me to explain my point of view. You just let him come: You just let him come to the party last night.
Can I use Allow and You just let him come interchangeably?
Not always. Allow and You just let him come 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.