Allow,permitandletare verbs that all have a similar meaning: ‘give permission ormake it possible forsomebody to do or have something’.
Permitis more formal thanallow.Allowis more formal thanlet:
The University has established a Museums Committee topermitmore formal discussion of common problems amongst its museums.
The plan for Heathrow willallowairport operator BAA to build a third, shorter runway.
Will youletme pay for the meal?
Letme show you how to open it. It’s a bit tricky.
Permit/allow someone+to do something
We use a direct object +to-infinitive afterpermitandallow:
[from a newspaper report abouta rugby player]
He has not decided yet whether his leg injury willpermit him to playthis weekend.
I would notallow a child to havea TV or a computer in their room.
Let someone+do something
We use an infinitive withouttoafterlet:
[child to parent]
Why don’t youlet me go? All my friends are going.
We don’tlet employees usethe office telephone for personal calls.
Passive withpermitandallow
We often use the passive withpermitandallow. Permitis often used for official public notices:
Photographyis permittedfor non-commercial use only.
[talking about a diet]
You’re allowedto eat as much fruit as you like.
We’re not allowedto put posters on the walls.
We don’t usually use the passive withlet:
The childrenwere allowedto do whatever they wanted.
Not:The children were let do…
See also:
Make
Permitorpermission?