allow to cool

Question

Hi,I am having problems with the construct "allow to cool"...Grammar books say the verb TO ALLOW (in the active) cannot be immediately followed by an infinitive?However, recipe books really abound with this construct...COCA too reports many dozens of hits for "allow to cool".Just a few examples:(1) Bake until toasted and fragrant, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and allow to cool before storing. (2) ). Allow to cool slightly, then cut vegetables into bite-size pieces and place in large serving bowl. (3) Remove from heat and allow to cool. 2. Fill a pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil (4) . Adjust to taste with salt and allow to cool. The sauce will thicken more as it cools. Note that in all these examples TO COOL seems to be in the active voice?... If it was "are allowed to cool", I wouildn't bother you with this query ...If you could help me?mus-te

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

MUSCOVITEGrammar books say the verb TO ALLOW (in the active) cannot be immediately followed by an infinitive?

Not true. Throw away all such grammar books!

CB

Avangi · Answer

These are "directions." They're not written in sentence form. They're like signs and titles. The rules of grammar do not apply.

MUSCOVITERemove and allow to cool before storing.

The imperative sentence would be, "Remove them and allow them to cool before storing."

Hi CB!

Great to see you!

I think we can clarify the rule, and say that the object may not be omitted in a formal sentence.
-- or something like that!

Rgdz, - A.

MUSCOVITE · Answer

I am TOTALLY confused then

The following is taken from Michael Swan's Practical English Usage;

Both words (allow, permit) can be followed by OBJECT + INFINITIVE

We don't allow (permit) people to smoke in the kitchen

When there is no personal object, an -ing form is used

We don't allow (permit) smoking in the kitchen.

Are there grammar books where the construct "allow to cool" and similar ones are explicitly described as grammatical?
I will need to get a good new grammar book before I throw away the ones I have used so far :-)

mus-te

MUSCOVITE · Answer

AvangiThese are "directions." They're not written in sentence form. They're like signs and titles. The rules of grammar do not apply.

THANK YOU SO MUCH Avangi! It's a relief to me!

Cool Breeze · Answer

My apologies, Muscovite.

I overlooked the "immediately" in your first post and when I wrote my reply, I just had "active sentences" in my mind. Sentences like these:

We allowed him to come in.
The teacher didn't allow me to answer.

Of course there is an object after allow in them. I just didn't think of that.

CB

MUSCOVITE · Answer

No problem, Cool Breeze!

I know you did want to help me ... and I really appreciate it!

allow to cool

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