Cool MateEnable vs Permit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enable
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Permit
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Enable
| Enable | Permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈneɪbl/","/ɪˈneɪblz/","/ɪˈneɪbld/","/ɪˈneɪblɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈneɪbl/","/ɪˈneɪblz/","/ɪˈneɪbld/","/ɪˈneɪblɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈmɪt/","/pəˈmɪts/","/pəˈmɪtɪd/","/pəˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈmɪt/","/pərˈmɪts/","/pərˈmɪtɪd/","/pərˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make something possible or easy to do. | To allow something to happen. |
| Example | The new software will enable users to perform tasks more efficiently. | 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 | enable technology, enable access, enable features, enable growth, enable communication | legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to, legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to |
| Antonyms | disable, prohibit | forbid, prohibit, ban |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'enable' vs 'enable to' — remember 'enable' is followed directly by the object., Using 'enabled' incorrectly in present tense — it should match the subject in tense., Mixing up 'enable' and 'allow' — 'enable' implies making possible, while 'allow' means giving permission. | 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 'enable' when discussing technology, permissions, or abilities. It's suitable in both written and spoken contexts. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. | Use 'permit' in formal contexts, such as legal or official situations. It's less common in casual conversation, where 'let' might be more appropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: Enable vs Permit
What's the difference between Enable and Permit?
Enable: To make something possible or easy to do. Permit: To allow something to happen.
Which is more common: Enable and Permit?
Enable is the most common in everyday English.
Are Enable and Permit the same CEFR level?
Enable: B2, Permit: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Enable and Permit?
Enable: verb, Permit: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Enable: The new software will enable users to perform tasks more efficiently. Permit: The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time.
Can I use Enable and Permit interchangeably?
Not always. Enable 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.