allow doing vs allow somebody to do

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Allow doing' is used when the subject is a general action or activity. However, 'allow somebody to do' is used when the subject is a specific person or group of people. These phrases are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 14, 2025 • 5782 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a general action or activity.

"allow doing "

This phrase is used when talking about allowing a general action or activity without specifying who is doing it. For example, 'The rules allow smoking in designated areas.'

Examples:

The policy allows sharing of information within the team.
The contract allows for termination in case of breach.
The law allows hunting in certain areas.
The guidelines allow for flexibility in decision-making.
The system allows for easy customization.

Show examples from the web [+]

2008年12月5日 ... 来自：辽宁省, 首先我要说一下，你的问题本身有些问题，因为英语中并没有allow to do sth这种结构，只有allow doing sth 及allow sb to do sth这两个 ...
allow to do 与allow doing的区别? 分享| 2006-01-07 20:55 徒手煎蛋6610. 2006- 01-07 20:59. 提问者采纳. allow既可作及物动词又可作不及物动词(多用于及物动词) ...
allow doing something · more... Ask in the forums yourself.Visit the English Only Forum. Look up "allow" at Merriam-Webster · Look up "allow" at dictionary.com.
Sep 20, 2015 ... Can we bribe the wardens in hostel to allow doing illegal things? UpdateCancel. Answer Wiki. 1 Answer. Pallav Gautam, 4 yr during B.tech.

Alternatives:

permit doing
enable doing
authorize doing
facilitate doing
endorse doing

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to allowing a specific person or group of people to do something.

"allow somebody to do"

This phrase is used when specifying who is being allowed to do something. For example, 'The teacher allows the students to ask questions.'

Examples:

The manager allows her team to work flexible hours.
The parents allow their children to play outside after school.
The company allows employees to work remotely.
The government allows citizens to vote in elections.
The school allows students to use electronic devices in class.

Show examples from the web [+]

let somebody/something do something; 1 to let somebody/something do something; to let something happen or be done allow somebody to do something His ...
allow somebody to do something. A 24-hour ceasefire allowed the two armies to reach an agreement. allow somebody something. a seatbelt that allows the ...
v. al·lowed, al·low·ing, al·lows. v.tr. 1. To let do or happen; permit: We allow smoking only in restricted areas. 2. To permit the presence of: No pets are allowed ...
to allow somebody to do somethingpermitir a alguien hacer or que haga algo, dejar a alguien hacer algo. smoking is not allowedse prohíbe or no se permite ...

Alternatives:

permit somebody to do
enable somebody to do
authorize somebody to do
facilitate somebody to do
endorse somebody to do

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allow doing vs allow somebody to do

"allow doing "

"allow somebody to do"

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