Let vs. Allow vs. Permit

'Let', 'allow', and 'permit' differ in their level of formality and grammatical structure. This lesson will tell you about their difference.

What is the difference between 'let' and 'allow' and 'permit'?

'Let' is typically used when the subject actively grants permission, often in informal contexts, whereas 'allow' focuses on the permission itself without necessarily emphasizing the subject's personal involvement. 'Permit' is mostly used in passive voice and in formal contexts, when talking about rules and regulations. This lesson will explore these differences.

Personal Involvement

'Let' can sometimes imply a personal willingness or choice on the part of the subject in granting permission. It can suggest a more voluntary act of allowing something. 'Allow' is more neutral and does not necessarily convey personal involvement or preference, rather, it emphasizes the action or state of permission itself. 'Permit' tends to have a more formal and official connotation, often associated with legal or regulatory matters and as such is even more impersonal than 'allow'.

The teacher let the students into the classroom after the bell rang.

The school allows students to choose elective courses.

'The school' is impersonal and does not specify the people who made the decision.

The regulations do not permit refugees to own property.

Permission to Continue

While these verbs are commonly used to give permission to do something, 'let' can also imply that an action is permitted to continue without being stopped. Pay attention to the examples:

My parents let me go to the concert with my friends.

permission

She let her children stay up late to watch a movie.

permission to continue

Formality

'Let' is often used in more casual or informal contexts, such as everyday conversations or personal interactions. It is commonly used among friends, family members, or in informal settings. 'Allow' and 'permit' are generally more formal terms used in official or authoritative contexts, such as rules, regulations, or policies, but 'permit' is more formal than allow. Thus, if the consider these three verbs on a continuum, 'let' is placed near the 'informal' extreme, while 'allow' falls somewhere in the middle and 'permit' is closer to the 'formal' extreme.

They let their daughter get a pet dog.

The government allows citizens to apply for a visa to travel abroad.

They will only permit you to enter the restricted area if you have the proper authorization.

Grammatical Structure

'Let', 'allow', and 'permit' are all transitive verbs that require an object. However 'allow' and 'permit' can be used in passive structures without a subject while 'let' cannot be used passively. Furthermore, the verb that follows 'let' is in bare infinitive form while 'allow' and 'permit are typically followed by a to-infinitive or a noun phrase.

His parent let him go to the party.

Using 'let' with a bare infinitive. We can't say 'he ~~was~~ ~~let~~ go to the party'

The contract allows the buyer to return the item within 30 days.

Using 'allow' with a to-infinitive

The system allows a maximum of three attempts.

Using 'allow' with a noun phrase

A maximum of three attempts is allowed.

Using 'allow' in a passive structure.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.

Using 'allow' in a passive structure

The court did not permit him to visit his child.

Using 'permit' with a to-infinitive

The museum does not permit photography inside the exhibits.

Using 'permit' with a noun phrase

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