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Lucas21c Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Allow to infinitive/gerund

Could you tell me what the difference is between (A) and (B) in the following sentence? Thank you in advance.


Please do not allow the child who is aged under 8 [ (A) to use / (B) using ] the elevator alone.

  

Top answer

"Allow" permits an infinitival complement but not a gerund-participial one. So "to use the elevator alone" is fine but not *"using the elevator alone".

— BillJ

  • "Allow" permits an infinitival complement but not a gerund-participial one.
  • So "to use the elevator alone" is fine but not *"using the elevator alone".
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2 Answers
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"Allow" permits an infinitival complement but not a gerund-participial one.

So "to use the elevator alone" is fine but not *"using the elevator alone".

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B is incorrect grammar.

I'd say eg Please do not allow any child under 8 to use the elevator alone.

Clive

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