Common Grammar Mistake: "Was Aloud" instead of "Was Allowed"

One of the most common grammatical mistakes people make is using the phrase "was aloud" instead of "was allowed." This error commonly occurs due to confusion between the homophones "aloud" and "allowed."

The Correct Usage: "Was Allowed"

The correct term to use when referring to the permission or authorization to do something is "was allowed." For example:

• Incorrect: I was aloud to drive my dad's car last night.
• Correct: I was allowed to drive my dad's car last night.

The word "allowed" is the past tense of the verb "allow." It indicates that someone has given permission or consent for a specific action or behavior to take place.

The Incorrect Usage: "Was Aloud"

The word "aloud" means to speak out loud or audibly. For example:

• Incorrect: I was aloud to start reading the book during class.
• Correct: I was allowed to start reading the book during class.

Using "was aloud" instead of "was allowed" not only displays incorrect grammar but also changes the meaning of the sentence entirely. It conveys the idea of speaking out loud rather than receiving permission to do something.

Fortunately, with the help of modern tools like the Linguix grammar checker, you can easily avoid common grammar mistakes. Linguix is an advanced writing assistant that provides real-time grammar and spell-checking, as well as suggestions for improving your writing.