Let, Allow and Permit

Let, Allow and Permit – What’s the Difference?

English has several verbs that express permission, and three of the most common are let, allow, and permit. At first glance, they seem identical — and in terms of basic meaning, they are. All three verbs express the idea of giving permission or not preventing something from happening.

But English is more than just meaning. Tone, structure, and formality are important, especially if you want to sound natural in conversation, polite in writing, or more accurate in exams. In this lesson, we will look at how let, allow, and permit differ in grammar, formality, and typical use, with clear examples to help you choose the right verb every time.

Let

Structure:
let + object + bare infinitive (no to)

The verb let is the least formal of the three. It is extremely common in spoken English and everyday situations. We use let when someone gives permission in a natural, direct way or chooses not to stop something from happening.

The children didn’t let Mike play with them.
She knocked on the door and asked them to let her come in.
We slowed down to let them catch up.
The police will never let him leave the country.
Would you kindly let me pass?

Tip: Because let sounds direct and informal, it is rarely used in official rules, notices, or formal writing.

Allow

Structure:
allow + object + to-infinitive

The verb allow is more formal than let and is very common in written English, rules, regulations, and well-mannered speech. It is often used when permission comes from an authority (parents, schools, organisations) rather than from an individual in a casual situation.

Allow is also frequently used in the passive form, especially in signs and official statements.

His parents don’t allow him to stay out late.
Allow me to introduce myself.
They do not allow customers to smoke in the restaurant.
The cows were allowed to wander freely.
Swimming is not allowed on this beach.

Tip: If you see a notice or rule in English, allow is far more likely than let.

Permit

Structure:
permit + object + to-infinitive

The verb permit is the most formal of the three. It is typically used in official documents, regulations, legal language,ore and very formal writing. In everyday conversation, it can sound stiff or even humorous if used in a casual context.

Like allow, permit is often used in the passive form.

Visitors are not permitted to take photographs in the museum.
Her illness doesn’t permit her to work full-time.
The situation does not permit us to make any mistakes.
He permitted himself a small smile.
Mobile phones are not permitted in the library.

Tip: In exams or formal essays, permit can raise the level of your language — but only if the context is genuinely formal.

Quick comparison

Let	Informal	Spoken English, everyday situations
Allow	Neutral–formal	Rules, polite speech, notices
Permit	Very formal	Official language, regulations, formal writing

Final thoughts

Although let, allow, and permit share the same core meaning, choosing the right one makes your English sound natural, appropriate, and confident. Native speakers instinctively adjust these verbs depending on the situation — and now, so can you.

If you’re preparing for Cambridge exams or striving to improve your written and spoken accuracy, learning these thoroughly subtle differences is a small change that makes a big impact.

Keep learning — and don’t forget to let yourself enjoy the process. 😊

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to book a trial lesson!

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Published by My Lingua Academy on 24 Apr 202424 Apr 2024