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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Is it wrong "His ability was allowed to be developed

Is it wrong "His ability was allowed to be developed"

What's difference between "His ability was allowed to develop and his ability was allowed to be developed"
  

Top answer

"His ability was allowed to develop" is the more usual sentence. It means that the ability developed of its own accord. "His ability was allowed to be developed" means that someone else developed his ability, but the sentence feels somewhat inelegant.

— GPY

  • "His ability was allowed to develop" is the more usual sentence.
  • It means that the ability developed of its own accord.
  • "His ability was allowed to be developed" means that someone else developed his ability, but the sentence feels somewhat inelegant.
  • If you do need this meaning, I would recommend trying to recast the sentence, at least to avoid the "double passive".
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9 Answers
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"His ability was allowed to develop" is the more usual sentence. It means that the ability developed of its own accord.

"His ability was allowed to be developed" means that someone else developed his ability, but the sentence feels somewhat inelegant. If you do need this meaning, I would recommend trying to recast the sentence, at least to avoid the "double passive".
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"His ability was allowed to develop." This sounds like it developed without assistance from anyone else.
This is a somewhat awkward sentence. More natural is eg He was allowed to develop his ability.


"His ability was allowed to be developed."
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Clive"His ability was allowed to develop." This sounds like it developed without assistance from anyone else. This is a somewhat awkward sentence.
I must respectfully disagree with this. To me, "His ability was allowed to develop" sounds just fine.
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Well, would you perhaps agree with my suggestion that
He was allowed to develop his ability.
sounds better?
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CliveWell, would you perhaps agree with my suggestion thatHe was allowed to develop his ability.sounds better?
I think that is good too, but has a faintly different meaning.
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So, anonymous has the benefit of two slightly different opinions. Emotion: smile
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@GPY: Just to clarify the issue for myself.
Would you please say how the 'ability' can be allowed? What would it say if we didn't allow? Would it protest (for example)? [with complete respect]
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Franky12@GPY: Just to clarify the issue for myself.Would you please say how the 'ability' can be allowed? What would it say if we didn't allow? Would it protest (for example)? [with complete respect]
There is no problem using "allow" for inanimate or abstract things with no will or volition. It means that you create or permit the conditions in which something c
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Thank you for your explanations.
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