Permission can refer to a person or to an activity.
The idea
Use allow or permit + a person or thing + to + base verb: allow visitors to enter. Without an object, use the -ing form: permit entering. Permit is more formal.
Examples
- The library allows visitors to borrow three maps.
- This ticket permits you to enter the garden twice.
- The cafe allows working on laptops after lunch.
- The park does not permit camping near the lake.
- Our coach allowed us to leave practice early.
- The museum permits sketching in the main hall.
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Watch out
Do not say allow visitors entering for this meaning, or allow to enter without an object.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. The school allows students ___ water in class. (to drink / drinking)
Show answer or example answer
to drink
to drink follows the object students.
Choose the correct option. The pool permits ___ before eight. (swimming / to swim)
Show answer or example answer
swimming
swimming names the activity without an object.
Choose the correct option. My parents allowed me ___ the trip. (to join / joining)
Show answer or example answer
to join
to join follows the object me.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. The school allows students ___ water in class. (to drink / drinking)
Choose the correct option. The pool permits ___ before eight. (swimming / to swim)
Choose the correct option. My parents allowed me ___ the trip. (to join / joining)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe one rule about a person and one about an activity.