Verbs often confused

To let, to allow, to permit, to enable

Of those four verbs, only three have a similar meaning: allow, let, and permit. They mean 'to give someone permission to do something, or not to prevent someone from doing something.' Permit is the formal word.

ALLOW and PERMIT

• Allow and Permit + object / + to-infinitive clause:

The landlord allowed me to have a small party in the back garden for my birthday.

Math teachers do not permit students to use calculators in exams.

• Allow and Permit are often used in the passive. Permit is usually used for official public notices:

Visitors are allowed to take photographs without flash.

Talking is not allowed during the exams.

Children are not permitted to use the swimming pool without supervision.

Dogs are not permitted in the hotel.

LET

• Let + object / + infinitive without to:

My parents didn't let me go to the concert last weekend. Let is not usually used in the passive.

The company does not let the employees use their mobile phones for personal calls during working hours.

ENABLE

Do not confuse any of the above words with enable. The meaning is not the same.

To enable someone to do something means to give them the opportunity or the ability to do it. It does not mean to give them permission to do it.

• Enable + object + to-infinitive:

Contraception enables people to plan their families.

The new test should enable doctors to detect the disease early.

Our new software enables members to have live video conversations.

in computing: to allow a device or system to work.

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