permit

/pəˈmɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /pərˈmɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /pər-ˈmit/ (ame, mw) · /ˈpɜː.mɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpɝː.mɪt/ (ame, ipa)

permit — verb

  • permitpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • permitshe / she / it
  • permittedpast simple
  • permitting-ing form

1. to say that someone may do something, or that an activity may go ahead.

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to say that someone may do something, or that an activity may go ahead.

例句

The school does not permit phones during final exams.

pattern: permit + noun

Our landlord permitted us to paint the kitchen pale blue.

pattern: permit + object + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • allow

    the closest everyday word and less formal than 'permit'

  • let

    more conversational and especially common for personal permission

  • authorize

    more official and often used in legal or workplace contexts

反義詞
  • forbid

    to say clearly that something must not happen

  • ban

    to stop something officially or by rule

文法句型

permit + noun

permit + -ing verb

permit + object + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Common with rules, signs, schools, offices, and other sources of authority. Distinguish from sense 2, where time, weather, money, or space creates the chance for something to happen.

常見錯誤

❌The school permitted students use calculators.
✅The school permitted students to use calculators.
💡use object + to-infinitive after 'permit'.
❌The museum permitted to take photos.
✅The museum permitted visitors to take photos.
💡with a to-infinitive, name the person who has permission.

2. if time, weather, money, or another condition leaves room, something can happen.

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

if time, weather, money, or another condition leaves room, something can happen.

例句

Weather permitting, the band will play in the park tonight.

set phrase: weather permitting

When time permitted, Rosa wrote long letters to her son.

pattern: time permitted

同義詞
  • allow

    can be used for conditions, but it is broader and often transitive

  • enable

    more directly about making an action possible

  • leave room for

    stresses that there is enough time, space, or freedom

反義詞
  • prevent

    to stop something from happening

  • rule out

    to make something impossible in the situation

文法句型

if time permits

if weather permits

when circumstances permit

用法筆記

Usually used with subjects such as time, weather, money, space, or health, often in clauses with 'if', 'when', or 'should'. Distinguish from sense 1, which gives permission to a person or activity.

常見錯誤

❌If time permits us, we will visit the tower.
✅If time permits, we will visit the tower.
💡this sense normally has no object.
❌Weather permits the match tonight.
✅Weather permitting, the match will be played tonight.
💡this sense usually appears in a condition phrase, not with a direct object.

permit — noun