What is the past tense of "allow"?

The past simple of "allow" is "allowed". The teacher allows us to use our phones during breaks.

What is the past participle of "allow"?

The past participle of "allow" is "allowed". Use it after have/has/had: "I have allowed".

What is a common mistake with "allow"?

Wrong: "The teacher allows us go home early.". Correct: "The teacher allows us to go home early.". 'Allow' requires 'to' before the infinitive verb: 'allow someone to do'.

Conjugation of "Allow" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage

Q: Is "allow" regular or irregular?

"Allow" is a regular English verb. Both past simple and past participle are formed by adding -ed.

Q: How do you pronounce "allow"?

/əˈlaʊ/ — Two syllables: uh-LOW. Stress on the second syllable. The 'a' is short like 'above', and 'ow' sounds like 'cloud'.

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All 12 Tenses of "Allow"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "allow" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I allow`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I allowed`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will allow`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am allowing`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was allowing`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be allowing`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have allowed`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had allowed`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have allowed`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been allowing`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been allowing`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been allowing`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Allow" — Allowed

The past simple of "allow" is "allowed" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.

Past Participle of "Allow" — Allowed

The past participle of "allow" is "allowed" — the same form as the past simple, since "allow" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have allowed") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was allowed").

Is "Allow" Regular or Irregular?

"Allow" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "allowed". The 3rd-person singular present is "allows" and the gerund/present participle is "allowing".

Conjugation pattern: regular -ed

How to Pronounce "Allow" and Its Forms

Allow: /əˈlaʊ/ — Stress pattern: oO

Two syllables: uh-LOW. Stress on the second syllable. The 'a' is short like 'above', and 'ow' sounds like 'cloud'.

Common mispronunciation of "allow"

Sometimes stressed on first syllable (AL-low); correct stress is a-LOW with emphasis on the second syllable.

Syllable breakdown: al · low

How to Use "Allow" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use 'allow' with an object and infinitive: 'allow someone to do something'. Use 'allow for' when meaning 'to provide or account for'.

S + V + O + to-infinitive
S + V + for + noun

Example Sentences with "Allow" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: Please allow extra time for delivery. B1

Common Collocations with "Allow"

allow for
allow time
allow someone to
allow access
allow flexibility

When to Use "Allow" vs Similar Verbs

"allow" vs "prevent"

Allow means to let something happen; prevent means to stop something from happening.

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

permit — for formal or official contexts when granting legal
enable — for contexts about making something possible or facilitating

Antonyms: forbid, prohibit, deny

Common Mistakes with "Allow"

Wrong: She allow often.
Correct: She allows often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).

Origin and Etymology of "Allow"

From Old French "aluer" meaning to allot or assign; came into English with the Norman Conquest influence.

Many cultures have different expectations about who 'allows' or permits actions, reflecting family and social hierarchies.

Other Forms of "Allow"

Noun: allowance
Adjective: allowable

Conjugation Tables for "Allow"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not allow · He does not allow
Simple past: I did not allow · She did not allow
Present perfect: I have not allowed · He has not allowed

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you allow? · Does he allow?
Simple past: Did you allow?
Present perfect: Have you allowed?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is allowed
Simple past passive: It was allowed
Present perfect passive: It has been allowed

Frequently Asked Questions About "Allow"

Is "allow" regular or irregular?: "allow" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "allowed".
What is the past tense of "allow"?: The simple past of "allow" is "allowed".
When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "allow"?: Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I allow every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am allowing right now."