Common mistake 'allow' + 'to' + infinitive

The Common Mistake: 'allow' + 'to' + infinitive

One of the common mistakes in English grammar is the incorrect usage of 'allow' + 'to' + infinitive. This mistake often occurs when writers forget to include an object or use the wrong verb form.

The Error: Missing Object

In active voice, the structure 'allow' + 'to' should include an object, usually a pronoun, after the preposition 'to'.

Incorrect: She allowed to leave the party early.

Correct: She allowed him to leave the party early.

In the correct example, the pronoun 'him' acts as the object for 'to leave.'

The Error: Wrong Verb Form

Another mistake is using the wrong verb form after 'allow' + 'to.' The correct form is the base form of the verb, not the infinitive form.

Incorrect: She allowed to go to the concert.

Correct: She allowed herself to go to the concert.

In the correct example, the pronoun 'herself' functions as the object, and the base form 'go' is used after 'allowed.'

Correcting the Mistake

If you meant to describe a requirement or permission, you should use the phrase 'be allowed' + 'to' + infinitive.

Incorrect: He allows to take a day off.

Correct: He is allowed to take a day off.

In the correct example, the phrase 'is allowed' indicates permission, and the base form 'take' follows 'to.'

If you intended to express actions in the past, you should use the past tense form of 'allow' instead.

Incorrect: They allowed to enter the competition.

Correct: They allowed us to enter the competition.

In the correct example, the pronoun 'us' serves as the object, and the past tense form 'allowed' is used.

It is crucial to pay attention to the correct usage of 'allow' + 'to' + infinitive to ensure clear and accurate communication in writing.

Linguix grammar checker can help you identify and correct this common mistake, along with many others, ensuring your writing is error-free and professional.

'allow' + 'to' + infinitive mistake examples

  • Incorrect:
    It allows to see better.

    Correct:
    It allows seeing better.

  • Incorrect:
    He advised to stay calm.

    Correct:
    He advised staying calm.

  • Incorrect:
    I mention this only to encourage to contact me if you have serious interest in adding this artwork to your collection.

    Correct:
    I mention this only to encourage contacting me if you have serious interest in adding this artwork to your collection.

  • Incorrect:
    Usually, the conversion to another notation requires to scale the argument and/or the resulting value; sometimes, the same name of the function is used, causing confusions.

    Correct:
    Usually, the conversion to another notation requires scaling the argument and/or the resulting value; sometimes, the same name of the function is used, causing confusions.

  • Incorrect:
    How many times do I have to tell to do your homework?

    Correct:
    How many times do I have to tell doing your homework?

  • Correct:
    It allows them to see better.
  • Correct:
    They are forbidden to fly without specific orders to proceed to their targets.
  • Correct:
    He was allowed to build an ambitious garden.
  • Correct:
    General Don Carlos Buell likewise refused orders to move the Army of the Ohio against rebel forces.
  • Correct:
    That is what it tries to teach to people like me.
  • Correct:
    ... a non-interventionist policy (literally ‘allow to do’).
  • Correct:
    I didn't know for certain which train to take.
  • Correct:
    I prefer train to bus.
  • Correct:
    He rescinded his earlier order to sail.
  • Correct:
    Sami's urges to smoke weed were coming back.
  • Correct:
    ... Japan, Britain and the United States join forces to defeat Nazi Germany.
  • Correct:
    For example, if a counterparty enters a limit order to sell to Enron at price x, ...
  • Correct:
    ... because many new workers have joined the labor force to take advantage of the booming economy.
  • Correct:
    Please prepare a change order to add dual fuel to the February '02 delivery turbine.
  • Correct:
    Privately owned Playmedia Systems seeks a court order to stop AOL's use of the allegedly infringing software.
  • Correct:
    Steve formed a task force to study how curtailment/diversion/force majeure risks play out at each chain across...
  • Correct:
    SCE is awaiting a commission order to auction off its SO2 credits.
  • Correct:
    Each of you have been asked to participate (or provide a participant) in the task force to identify problems with data movement from our...
  • Correct:
    If denied, Westchester can then seek a court order to block construction.
  • Correct:
    Mirant was asked by the latest order to justify close to $93,000 in March sales.
  • Correct:
    Governor Bush has set up a task force to study wholesale competition during this Legislative session.
  • Correct:
    Tthe administration created a task force to come up with a counter proposal to reduce harmful emissions.
  • Correct:
    President Bush has announced the creation a task force to review corporate disclosure rules after Enron's bankruptcy.
  • Correct:
    Bush yesterday appointed a task force to investigate Enron's collapse and at least six congressional committees are investigating.
  • Correct:
    He is putting together a task force to help with the SEC stuff.
  • Correct:
    The attorney general will agree to a confidentiality order to govern EES's production that was approved by the Los Angeles Superior Court.
  • Correct:
    Westchester can then seek a court order to block construction.
  • Correct:
    Dave Nutt has been sent the Compliance Order to review.
  • Correct:
    After three decades of amassing material, Boasians felt a growing urge to generalize.
  • Correct:
    ... said the presence of FBI agents may make a court order to protect documents superfluous.
  • Correct:
    ... to the traders, for a market order to buy, the market maker has to sell at the as...
  • Correct:
    Most yeomen farmers, craftsmen, and small merchants joined the Patriot cause to demand more political equality.
  • Correct:
    ... after he was given a court order to lend money to an incompetent applicant.
  • Correct:
    Consciousness and thought remain very challenging to understand.
  • Correct:
    It is therefore very encouraging to see ORR take the matter forward.
  • Correct:
    He famously disobeyed Parker's order to withdraw, destroying many of the Dano-Norwegian ships before a truce was agreed.
  • Correct:
    Whatever you allow to captivate your mind will rule your life.
  • Correct:
    The DEP noted that the plants will be emitting at rates lower than what the EPA requires to create allowances.
  • Correct:
    The state PUC follows whatever the Department of Revenue requires to be utilized.
  • Correct:
    EPA permits to allow further expansion is a major issue to making sure that domestic infrastructure keeps up with demand (p. 27).
  • Correct:
    A big omission in his new section is the covenant not to construct or cause to be constructed a natural gas pipeline within the right of way.
  • Correct:
    This group of creditors is significant in both number and amount and deserves and requires to be dealt with as such," says the letter to Edison's private attorney, Thomas B. Walper of Munger, Tolles and Olson in Los Angeles.
  • Correct:
    Despite his trauma, he is driven to train to become a brilliant scientist and train his body into absolute physical perfection to fight crime in Gotham City as Batman, an inspired idea from Wayne's insight into the criminal mind.
  • Correct:
    Abettor (from to abet, Old French abeter, à and beter, to bait, urge dogs upon any one; this word is probably of Scandinavian origin, meaning to cause to bite), is a legal term implying one who instigates, encourages or assists another to commit an offence.
  • Correct:
    We have taken every step the state would allow to try to keep power costs down," general counsel Roger Peters said in a prepared statement, but the latest court action is critical for "protecting our financial viability.
  • Correct:
    I guess the issue is how much time and money it would require to change CP to feed just our CPs.
  • Correct:
    We should touch base then to agree on an amount of collateral you require to keep CA on board.
  • Correct:
    In logic, the time that an algorithm requires to complete cannot be measured, as it is not apparently related with our customary physical dimension.
  • Correct:
    A 10% markup allowed to compensate for credit risks for sales into California should be dropped, because the California Department of Water Resources, a creditworthy buyer, is purchasing electricity on behalf of the utilities, they said.
  • Correct:
    A sixth consultant hired to help California purchase electricity has quit, according to state records.
  • Correct:
    Also ordered to justify their prices were Williams Energy Services Corp., $21.6 million; Portland General Electric Co., $73,600; and Mirant, $826,000.
  • Correct:
    If forced to undergo new trials, Erbitux may not be available for months, if ever.
  • Correct:
    The documents forwarded to you are the actual documents you'll be require to execute however they will reflect Hanover as Lessor.
  • Correct:
    When Kennedy received the photo, he returned it to Goldwater, with the inscription, "For Barry Goldwater – Whom I urge to follow the career for which he has shown such talent – photography!
  • Correct:
    Wayne hands the Batman mantle to Dick Grayson (then Nightwing) for an interim period, while Wayne trains to return to the role.
  • Correct:
    However this stiffness can work against certain types of concrete structures, particularly where a relatively higher flexing structure is require to resist more extreme forces.
  • Correct:
    As a first step towards examining the financial data, GAIL will require to enter into a confidentiality clause agreement with the present project sponsors to access the data.
  • Correct:
    Kantorek is a hypocrite, urging the young men he teaches to fight in the name of patriotism, while not voluntarily enlisting himself.
  • Correct:
    Rural communities face a new opportunity and challenge to prosper in this new world.
  • Correct:
    On 30 June 2009, he was proposed for inclusion in the Birmingham Walk of Stars, with the public invited to vote.
  • Correct:
    Let them force to work, and if this avails nothing, we will be compelled to expel them like dogs in order not to expose ourselves to incurring divine wrath and eternal damnation from the Jews and their lies."
  • Correct:
    ... the customer is typically more reasonable and easier to work with than the consultants they hire to work with us.
  • Incorrect:
    It allowed to see better.

    Correct:
    It allowed seeing better.

  • Correct:
    It allows seeing better.
  • Correct:
    He was allowed to build an ambitious garden.
  • Correct:
    He was eventually allowed to go to Tehran near the end of 1838-39.
  • Correct:
    ... II of Prussia limited the number of Jews allowed to live in Breslau to only ten so-called "protected" ...
  • Incorrect:
    We may require to draw upon the guarantees given to us by the Indian financial institutions.

    Correct:
    We may be required to draw upon the guarantees given to us by the Indian financial institutions.

  • Incorrect:
    As a first step towards examining the financial data, GAIL will require to enter into a confidentiality clause agreement with the present project sponsors to access the data.

    Correct:
    As a first step towards examining the financial data, GAIL will be required to enter into a confidentiality clause agreement with the present project sponsors to access the data.

  • Incorrect:
    Minna could produce and maintain such a report, but I would require to justify that this is a worthwhile allocation of her resource.

    Correct:
    Minna could produce and maintain such a report, but I would be required to justify that this is a worthwhile allocation of her resource.

  • Correct:
    This most likely will require to go into enemy territory - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
  • Correct:
    Third, with respect to the balance of capacity that you may require to meet your primary point obligations, (a) There will be no citygate allocation requirements for this winter, except for the 25% limitation on Texas Eastern.
  • Incorrect:
    You won't allowed to do that anywhere.

    Correct:
    You won't be allowed to do that anywhere.

  • Incorrect:
    However, if a woman becomes widowed, she will not allowed to be sealed to another man.

    Correct:
    However, if a woman becomes widowed, she will not be allowed to be sealed to another man.

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