Permit vs Yield

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Permit

Top 2,000 (common)B2verb

Yield

Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
 PermitYield
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/pəˈmɪt/","/pəˈmɪts/","/pəˈmɪtɪd/","/pəˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈmɪt/","/pərˈmɪts/","/pərˈmɪtɪd/","/pərˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 /["/jiːld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/jiːld/"]/
MeaningTo allow something to happen.To give up or let someone else have something.
ExampleThe teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time.a high crop yield
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2C1
Part of speechverbnoun
Collocationslegally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to, legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed togood, high, low, produce, jump, rise, decline
Antonymsforbid, prohibit, banwithhold, retain, deny
Common mistakesConfused 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 'ield' which is not a word., Used in passive voice incorrectly (e.g., 'was yielded' instead of 'was yielded to')., Mixing up with 'yielding' which refers to being flexible or submissive.
Usage notesUse 'permit' in formal contexts, such as legal or official situations. It's less common in casual conversation, where 'let' might be more appropriate.Commonly used in both formal and neutral contexts. Often refers to giving way in a discussion, negotiation, or traffic situations. It's less appropriate in casual or slang conversations.

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Permit
Yield

Frequently asked questions: Permit vs Yield

What's the difference between Permit and Yield?

Permit: To allow something to happen. Yield: To give up or let someone else have something.

Which is more advanced: Permit and Yield?

Yield is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Permit and Yield the same CEFR level?

Permit: B2, Yield: C1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Permit and Yield?

Permit: verb, Yield: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Permit: The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time. Yield: a high crop yield

Can I use Permit and Yield interchangeably?

Not always. Permit and Yield 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.

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