Question

Dictionary entries for the words "allowed" and "aloud" showing the number of syllables, their pronunciation, etymology, parts of speech, and definition.
Which sentence uses aloud correctly?

Krista is not aloud to eat food with artificial coloring.
You are aloud only one late assignment this term.
My parents aloud me to drive their new car this week.
Jorge’s cell phone gave him driving directions aloud.

Answer 1

allowed
- Syllables: 2
- Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈlaʊd/
- Etymology: past tense/past participle of allow. Allow (Middle English alowen) < Old French alouer < ultimately from Latin ad- + laudare “to praise.” The sense “permit” developed in Middle/Late English.
- Part(s) of speech: verb (past tense / past participle); also used as an adjective (“an allowed item”).
- Definition: permitted or given permission; was permitted.

aloud
- Syllables: 2
- Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈlaʊd/
- Etymology: Middle English aloude, from a- (an adverbial prefix) + loud (Old English hlūd).
- Part of speech: adverb
- Definition: spoken so as to be heard; audibly; out loud.

Which sentence uses aloud correctly?
- Sentence 4: “Jorge’s cell phone gave him driving directions aloud.”
Explanation: aloud means “audibly” (spoken so it can be heard). Sentences 1–3 should use allowed (permit), e.g.:
- Krista is not allowed to eat food with artificial coloring.
- You are allowed only one late assignment this term.
- My parents allowed me to drive their new car this week.