How to use Allow
Now, let’s look at “allow.” It is more formal than “let” but less formal than “permit.” You can use it in everyday situations. You may also find it in official rules, such as street, building and office signs.
With “allow,” we use the infinitive form for main verbs. The infinitive form is “to” plus the simple form of the verb.
In the following examples, make a note of the meaning of “allow” in each. Which sentences are about permission? Which are about possibility? And, note the use of infinitive main verbs:
Example: My teaching skills allow me to help English learners.
Example: Her parents do not allow her to eat beef.
Example: They do not allow us to smoke in the building.
You may have noted that two examples are in the negative form. When talking about rules, we often use “allow” in the negative to say what people must not do.
