allow
verb (used with object)
to give permission to or for; permit.
were allowing
-
past progressiveof allow.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Iranian state television said Friday the Revolutionary Guards were allowing more ships to transit the strait, after reporting a day earlier that "more than 30 ships" had been permitted to pass.
From Barron's ● May 18, 2026
"I had a lot of help. People were opening gyms to fit a car in. People were allowing me to use their car. I'm just really grateful right now."
From BBC ● Feb. 16, 2025
Officers were allowing motorists to use the right shoulder to pass, according to the CHP spokesperson.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2023
Unsurprising, as well, that journalists who followed up found that the situation was far uglier than these law enforcement hints were allowing.
From Salon ● May 10, 2023
Privately he thought that some people were allowing their young ones to become a little forward, but that was their concern.
From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt
