permit
To officially allow someone to do something or to make something possible. As a noun, it refers to an official document that gives someone authorization to do something.
Permit acts as both the act of giving official permission and the document that proves it.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To officially authorize or allow an action to occur.
- A document that grants legal permission for a specific activity.
- More formal than 'allow' or 'let' in most contexts.
Summary
Permit acts as both the act of giving official permission and the document that proves it.
- To officially authorize or allow an action to occur.
- A document that grants legal permission for a specific activity.
- More formal than 'allow' or 'let' in most contexts.
Use 'Permit' for Official Situations
When writing formal emails or reports, choose 'permit' over 'let' to sound more professional and authoritative.
Watch Your Verb Patterns
Always remember to use 'to' when 'permit' is followed by an object: 'They permitted us TO enter,' not 'They permitted us enter.'
Permits in Urban Life
In many English-speaking countries, 'permits' are a major part of bureaucracy, covering everything from street festivals to home renovations.
Examples
4 of 4The visitor's permit is valid for only twenty-four hours.
We will begin the outdoor ceremony at noon, weather permitting.
My parents won't permit me to stay out past midnight.
The regulations permit the use of electronic devices only during certain hours.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'PER-mit' as a 'PER-manent' piece of paper that says you are allowed to do something.
Overview
The word 'permit' is a versatile English term that functions as both a verb and a noun. At its core, it conveys the idea of authorization or allowing an action to take place. It is slightly more formal than the word 'allow' and significantly more formal than 'let.' 2) Usage Patterns: When used as a verb, 'permit' typically follows the structure 'permit + someone + to do something' (e.g., 'The law permits citizens to vote'). It can also be used intransitively in phrases like 'if time permits.' As a noun, it refers to the physical or digital document that proves authorization, such as a 'work permit' or a 'parking permit.' A key linguistic feature is the change in word stress: the verb is pronounced with stress on the second syllable (per-MIT), while the noun is stressed on the first syllable (PER-mit). 3) Common Contexts: You will frequently encounter this word in legal, administrative, and professional environments. It is used when discussing regulations, building codes, travel requirements, and workplace safety. For instance, a contractor needs a 'building permit' before starting construction. In social contexts, it is used to express politeness or conditional availability, such as 'weather permitting.' 4) Similar Words Comparison: While 'permit,' 'allow,' and 'let' all share the same basic meaning, they differ in formality and syntax. 'Let' is the most informal and is followed by a base verb without 'to' (e.g., 'Let him go'). 'Allow' is neutral and very common in everyday speech. 'Permit' is the most formal and often implies an official or legal framework. For example, you 'allow' a friend to borrow your car, but the city 'permits' you to park on the street.
Usage Notes
In formal writing, 'permit' is preferred over 'let.' It is often used in the passive voice (e.g., 'Smoking is not permitted') to sound more objective and official. When using it as a verb with an object, the 'to-infinitive' is required.
Common Mistakes
A common error is omitting the 'to' in the verb pattern (e.g., saying 'permit him go' instead of 'permit him to go'). Another mistake is using the wrong stress when speaking; remember that the noun has the stress on the first syllable.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'PER-mit' as a 'PER-manent' piece of paper that says you are allowed to do something.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'permittere,' which means 'to let go through' or 'to give up,' combining 'per' (through) and 'mittere' (to send).
Cultural Context
In many Western societies, the 'permit' system is the primary way the government regulates activities like hunting, driving, and professional services to ensure safety and standards.
Examples
The visitor's permit is valid for only twenty-four hours.
everydayWe will begin the outdoor ceremony at noon, weather permitting.
formalMy parents won't permit me to stay out past midnight.
informalThe regulations permit the use of electronic devices only during certain hours.
academicWord Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
special permit
entry permit
Often Confused With
'Allow' is more common in daily speech and less formal. 'Permit' suggests a more rigid or official rule.
'Permission' is the noun for the general concept of being allowed, while 'permit' is usually the specific document or the verb.
Grammar Patterns
Use 'Permit' for Official Situations
When writing formal emails or reports, choose 'permit' over 'let' to sound more professional and authoritative.
Watch Your Verb Patterns
Always remember to use 'to' when 'permit' is followed by an object: 'They permitted us TO enter,' not 'They permitted us enter.'
Permits in Urban Life
In many English-speaking countries, 'permits' are a major part of bureaucracy, covering everything from street festivals to home renovations.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence.
The security guard will not ___ you to enter without an ID.
The auxiliary verb 'will' is followed by the base form of the verb.
Identify the usage of 'permit' in the following sentence: 'You must display your parking permit on the dashboard.'
In this context, it refers to a physical document, making it a noun.
Reorder the words to create a grammatically correct sentence.
permit / does / not / smoking / the / hospital / .
This follows the Subject + Verb + Object structure where 'permit' is the main verb.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions'Permit' is usually the physical document (noun) or the act of allowing (verb), while 'permission' is the abstract concept of being allowed to do something.
The verb is pronounced /pəˈmɪt/ (stress on 'mit'), whereas the noun is pronounced /ˈpɜːrmɪt/ (stress on 'per').
Yes, 'permit' can be followed directly by a gerund, such as 'The museum does not permit taking photos.'
It is used, but 'allow' or 'let' are more common in informal settings unless referring to a specific document like a 'driving permit.'
