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(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Grammar Videos
(ordered by category) Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
Aloud or Allowed?
What Is the Difference between "Aloud" and "Allowed"?
The Quick Answer
Aloud
(adverb) "out loud" or "audibly"- Terry talks aloud when he's thinking.
Allowed
(past form) "permitted"- Only knights are permitted to enter the castle with a sword.

- Say your name aloud.
- We allowed the campers to swim in the lake.
- Leave me alone. I am allowed.
More about "Aloud" and "Allowed"
"Aloud" and "allowed" are homonyms, specifically homophones. This means they sound the same but have different meanings.Quick Test on Aloud and Allowed
It's your go. Select the correct one:Aloud
The adverb "aloud" means out loud or audibly. It refers to sound (almost always speech).Examples:
- Please do not read aloud. You're disturbing everyone else in the library.
- The public are not keen on lip-syncing; therefore, medal hopefuls must all learn to sing the national anthem aloud.
Allowed
"Allowed" is the past tense of the verb "to allow," which means to permit. In other words, "allowed" means the same as "permitted."Examples:
- Small amounts of baby formula and breast milk are allowed in the aircraft cabin if a baby or small child is travelling.
- I am not aloud to go to the party on Saturday.
Common Terms with "Aloud" and "Allowed"
Common terms with the word "aloud":- read aloud
- think aloud
- Girls Aloud
- allowed amount
- allowed breaks
- allowed countries
- allowed expenses
- allowed time
Confusing "Aloud" and "Allowed" Is a Howler
Those with English as a second language are more prone to confusing "aloud" and "allowed." A native English speaker confusing these words constitutes a grammatical howler."Out Loud" Not "Out Loudly"
The term "out loud" is an adverbial phrase meaning "aloud." The term is not "out loudly." For example:- LOL means Laugh Out Loud.
- LOL means Laugh Out Loudly.
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