Cool MateAllowed vs Permitted
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Allowed
Top 2,000 (common)
Permitted
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Allowed
| Allowed | Permitted | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈlaʊd//🇺🇸 //əˈlaʊd// | 🇬🇧 //pəˈmɪtɪd//🇺🇸 //pəˈmɪtɪd// |
| Meaning | It means something is okay or permitted. | Allowed or given permission to do something. |
| Example | Students are allowed to use calculators during the exam. | Only employees are permitted to enter the restricted area. |
| 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 | be permitted to do something, not permitted, only permitted, permitted by law, permitted activities |
| Antonyms | prohibited, forbidden | prohibited, forbidden, restricted |
| 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'). | Confusing with 'allowed' as they are similar but 'permitted' is more formal., Using 'permitted' in informal contexts where 'allowed' is more appropriate., Incorrectly conjugating it as 'permit' instead of 'permitted' in past contexts. |
| 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 'permitted' in formal contexts, such as legal or official discussions. Avoid using it in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Allowed vs Permitted
What's the difference between Allowed and Permitted?
Allowed: It means something is okay or permitted. Permitted: Allowed or given permission to do something.
Which is more common: Allowed and Permitted?
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. Permitted: Only employees are permitted to enter the restricted area.
Can I use Allowed and Permitted interchangeably?
Not always. Allowed and Permitted 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.