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.
But local authorities said they were allowing people to return home in nine villages and planned to reopen a highway heading southwards out of Bordeaux in the afternoon.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
Koryo Tours told the BBC that the North Korean authorities were allowing tourists from any country to join the trips, apart from South Korea.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2024
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
I didn’t know you were allowing María de los Santos to have gentlemen callers.
From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez
