Page 67 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

41
all right and alright
42
1
The standard spelling is all right. Alright is common, but some people consider it incorrect.
allow, permit and let
allow and permit
These words have similar meanings and uses. Permit is more formal. Both words can be followed by object + infinitive.
We do not allow/permit people to smoke in the kitchen. When there is no personal object, an -ing form is used.
We do not allow/permit smoking in the kitchen.
Passive structures are common; personal subjects and gerund (-ing form) subjects are both possible.
People are not allowed/permitted to smoke in the kitchen.
Smoking is not allowed/permitted in the kitchen.
The passive structure with it is only possible with permit.
It is not permitted to smoke in the kitchen. (BUT NOT It is 1t6E MltJI:IIefi t(J Sfll6ke •.•)
Allow, but not permit, can be used with adverb particles.
She wouldn't allow me in. Mary isn't allowed out at night.
let
Let is the least formal of these three words, and is followed by object + infinitive without to. Compare:
Please allow me to buy you a drink. (polite and formal)
Let me buy you a drink. (friendly and informal) Let is not usually used in the passive.
I wasn't allowed to pay for the drinks. (NOT {ttJtl9It't let .. .)
Let can be used with adverb particles; passives are possible in this case.
She wouldn't let me in. I've been let down. For more about let, see 322-323.
almost and nearly; practically progress. measurement and counting
Almost and nearly can both express ideas connected with progress, measurement or counting. Nearly is less common in American English.
I've almost/nearly finished.
There were almost/nearly a thousand people there. Sometimes almost is a little 'nearer' than nearly. Compare:
It's nearly ten o'clock. (= perhaps 9.45)
It's almost ten o'clock. (= perhaps 9.57)
Very and pretty can be used with nearly but not almost.
43 1
2
I've very/pretty nearly finished. (NOT ••• very aml68t ...)
almost and nearly; practically 43
page 35