Permit vs You just let the enemy go
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Permit
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
You just let the enemy go
Top 2,000 (common)
| Permit | You just let the enemy go | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈmɪt/","/pəˈmɪts/","/pəˈmɪtɪd/","/pəˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈmɪt/","/pərˈmɪts/","/pərˈmɪtɪd/","/pərˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ dʒʌst lɛt ði ˈɛnəmi ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //ju dʒʌst lɛt ði ˈɛnəmi ɡoʊ// |
| Meaning | To allow something to happen. | You allowed the enemy to leave. |
| Example | The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time. | You just let the enemy go after negotiations failed. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to, legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to | let someone go, let it go, let go of fear |
| Antonyms | forbid, prohibit, ban | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'allow' - 'permit' is often more formal., Using 'permit' incorrectly in passive voice without clear subject., Using 'permit' without an object, forgetting what is being permitted. | Confused with 'let' vs 'let's' (let's is informal suggestion)., Incorrect form: using 'letted' instead of 'let'., Using with wrong verb form (should be base form after let). |
| Usage notes | Use 'permit' in formal contexts, such as legal or official situations. It's less common in casual conversation, where 'let' might be more appropriate. | Used in contexts of permission or allowance. Avoid in formal writing. Common in everyday conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Permit vs You just let the enemy go
What's the difference between Permit and You just let the enemy go?
Permit: To allow something to happen. You just let the enemy go: You allowed the enemy to leave.
Can you show an example of each?
Permit: The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time. You just let the enemy go: You just let the enemy go after negotiations failed.
Can I use Permit and You just let the enemy go interchangeably?
Not always. Permit and You just let the enemy go are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.