ENGLISH
REFERENCE

allowing

v.
A2 Elementary US //əˈɫaʊɪŋ// UK //ɐlˈaʊɪŋ// al·low·ing

v. giving someone permission to do something or making it possible for something to happen.

v. granting permission or providing the necessary opportunity for an action or state to occur. Often functions as a present participle or gerund in complex sentence structures.


SIMPLE

The new law is allowing more people to vote.

CONTEXTUAL

By opening the windows, we are allowing fresh air to circulate throughout the entire house.

COMPLEX

The architect designed the atrium with a glass ceiling, allowing natural light to flood the interior spaces and reduce the building's reliance on artificial lighting.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive; when followed by another action, it typically takes an object plus a to-infinitive ('allowing him to go').

Pitfall

allowing him goallowing him to goThe verb requires the 'to' particle before the following infinitive verb.

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