Cool MatePermit vs Sanction
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Permit
Sanction
| Permit | Sanction | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈmɪt/","/pəˈmɪts/","/pəˈmɪtɪd/","/pəˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈmɪt/","/pərˈmɪts/","/pərˈmɪtɪd/","/pərˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsæŋkʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsæŋkʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | To allow something to happen. | To allow or approve something, or to punish someone for something. |
| Example | The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time. | The government imposed economic sanctions on the country to discourage its aggressive actions. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to, legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to | economic, financial, military, apply, enforce, impose, sanction against, sanction for, the imposition of sanctions, the lifting of sanctions, a threat of sanctions, government, official, divine, give something, with somebody/something’s sanction, without somebody/something’s sanction, economic, financial, military, apply, enforce, impose, sanction against, sanction for, the imposition of sanctions, the lifting of sanctions, a threat of sanctions |
| Antonyms | forbid, prohibit, ban | approve, permit |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Confused with the opposite meaning (approval vs punishment)., Omitting the object when using the word., Using it in informal contexts where approval is meant. |
| Usage notes | Use 'permit' in formal contexts, such as legal or official situations. It's less common in casual conversation, where 'let' might be more appropriate. | In formal contexts, 'sanction' can imply both approval and punishment, which can be confusing. In legal or diplomatic language, it's often used to refer to punitive measures against countries or organizations. Avoid using in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Permit vs Sanction
What's the difference between Permit and Sanction?
Permit: To allow something to happen. Sanction: To allow or approve something, or to punish someone for something.
Which is more formal: Permit and Sanction?
Sanction is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Permit and Sanction?
Permit is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Permit and Sanction?
Sanction is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Permit and Sanction the same CEFR level?
Permit: B2, Sanction: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Permit and Sanction?
Permit: verb, Sanction: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Permit: The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time. Sanction: The government imposed economic sanctions on the country to discourage its aggressive actions.
Can I use Permit and Sanction interchangeably?
Not always. Permit and Sanction 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.