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“enables users to” vs “allows users to” – both correct?
Unicorn Meta Zoo #1: Why another podcast?
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar ManaraSummarizing what makes a home a homeWhich one is right: “allows to acquire” or “allows acquiring”?What is correct: “both sides of you” or “both sides of yours”?Which is correct? Users who or Users that?'allowing' vs. 'that allows'Word Hunt: A Collection of Lessons, but a subset of a Course?Referring to an email sent to an individual, but not in the main conversationpaying users vs paid users vs premium usersReplicable or Replicateable, are both correct?Is the successive use of “to” in any sentence grammatically correct?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
I’m editing a colleague who habitually uses phrases like:
The password enables users to log in.
This sounds wrong to me, and I want to suggest alternatives like:
The password allows users to log in.
After some cursory research, I think the problem here is me, not the pattern in question. Are “enables” and “allows” interchangeable, here?
word-choice grammaticality
asked Mar 26 at 23:00
Eric PortisEric Portis
31
add a comment |
I’m editing a colleague who habitually uses phrases like:
The password enables users to log in.
This sounds wrong to me, and I want to suggest alternatives like:
The password allows users to log in.
After some cursory research, I think the problem here is me, not the pattern in question. Are “enables” and “allows” interchangeable, here?
word-choice grammaticality
asked Mar 26 at 23:00
Eric PortisEric Portis
31
1
They are sometimes equivalent. A guard dog allows you to enter a house, sounds more plausible than the guard dog enabling your entry, unless you had somehow “provided” the dog to the homeowner.
– Global Charm
Mar 26 at 23:55
Ok, so, as @HideMe says below -- the difference is about granting permission (allows) vs bestowing new abilities (enables).
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:14
add a comment |
I’m editing a colleague who habitually uses phrases like:
The password enables users to log in.
This sounds wrong to me, and I want to suggest alternatives like:
The password allows users to log in.
After some cursory research, I think the problem here is me, not the pattern in question. Are “enables” and “allows” interchangeable, here?
word-choice grammaticality
asked Mar 26 at 23:00
Eric PortisEric Portis
31
I’m editing a colleague who habitually uses phrases like:
The password enables users to log in.
This sounds wrong to me, and I want to suggest alternatives like:
The password allows users to log in.
After some cursory research, I think the problem here is me, not the pattern in question. Are “enables” and “allows” interchangeable, here?
word-choice grammaticality
word-choice grammaticality
asked Mar 26 at 23:00
Eric PortisEric Portis
31
asked Mar 26 at 23:00
Eric PortisEric Portis
31
asked Mar 26 at 23:00
Eric PortisEric Portis
31
asked Mar 26 at 23:00
Eric PortisEric Portis
31
asked Mar 26 at 23:00
Eric PortisEric Portis
31
31
1
They are sometimes equivalent. A guard dog allows you to enter a house, sounds more plausible than the guard dog enabling your entry, unless you had somehow “provided” the dog to the homeowner.
– Global Charm
Mar 26 at 23:55
Ok, so, as @HideMe says below -- the difference is about granting permission (allows) vs bestowing new abilities (enables).
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:14
add a comment |
1
They are sometimes equivalent. A guard dog allows you to enter a house, sounds more plausible than the guard dog enabling your entry, unless you had somehow “provided” the dog to the homeowner.
– Global Charm
Mar 26 at 23:55
Ok, so, as @HideMe says below -- the difference is about granting permission (allows) vs bestowing new abilities (enables).
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:14
1
1
They are sometimes equivalent. A guard dog allows you to enter a house, sounds more plausible than the guard dog enabling your entry, unless you had somehow “provided” the dog to the homeowner.
– Global Charm
Mar 26 at 23:55
They are sometimes equivalent. A guard dog allows you to enter a house, sounds more plausible than the guard dog enabling your entry, unless you had somehow “provided” the dog to the homeowner.
– Global Charm
Mar 26 at 23:55
Ok, so, as @HideMe says below -- the difference is about granting permission (allows) vs bestowing new abilities (enables).
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:14
Ok, so, as @HideMe says below -- the difference is about granting permission (allows) vs bestowing new abilities (enables).
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:14
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Enables implies that this uncovers a new ability for the user to log in.
Using a different wording:
The password gives users the ability to login.
Whereas allows implies that the user has been given the permission to login as if they weren't allowed before.
Attempting to put this into a different wording:
The password gives users permission to login
This is erroneous as the permission may in this case already be granted and they simply haven't had the ability to login with their own credentials until now.
A good way to remember how this would work is if you split the word 'enable' into two - 'en' and 'able'. Using this logic, you quickly remind yourself that you're making someone able to do something.
answered Mar 26 at 23:51
dopedope
644
But gramatically, they're identical. They just carry different meanings? (And in the example, it sounds like “enables” better describes what passwords do?)
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:13
Grammatically yes, they're identical. But they carry different meanings. So you're right to think that the problem was within you when perceiving the phrase as erroneous. 'Enables' definitely describes the function of the user being given the password better than 'allow' would. As I've attempted to lay out in my answer. :)
– dope
Mar 27 at 0:17
add a comment |
"Allow" and "enable" have two different meanings. "Enable" means to provide help and assistance. Enabling has nothing to do with permission or whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier. If we change the word "password" to "guard" this will become clear: "The guard allows visitors to pass through the checkpoint." If we used "enable" then one would ask how the guard helped. Did he carry the person through the gate? Personally, I would use "allow." If you don't have a password, you can't get in.
In researching this answer, I noticed that dictionaries varied on the definition of enable. Merriam Webster has conflicting ideas. One definition is about help and assistance, while another talks about allowing something.
answered Mar 27 at 3:05
michael_timofeevmichael_timofeev
5,80542248
The first sense of enable in the link you provide gives the example a hole in the fence that enabled us to watch. This is no different than a password than enables us to have access or, as you say, "whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier" Also, when you talk about "conflicting ideas," they're not conflicting. They are different senses of the same word.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 27 at 3:18
@JasonBassford The word "enable" has morphed into something similar to allow or give permission, but as far as I know it has always meant to provide aid. People can enable. Personally, I don't think inanimate objects can enable. This is my opinion. Dictionaries online varied in their interpretation of the word.
– michael_timofeev
Mar 27 at 3:25
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
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votes
active
oldest
votes
Enables implies that this uncovers a new ability for the user to log in.
Using a different wording:
The password gives users the ability to login.
Whereas allows implies that the user has been given the permission to login as if they weren't allowed before.
Attempting to put this into a different wording:
The password gives users permission to login
This is erroneous as the permission may in this case already be granted and they simply haven't had the ability to login with their own credentials until now.
A good way to remember how this would work is if you split the word 'enable' into two - 'en' and 'able'. Using this logic, you quickly remind yourself that you're making someone able to do something.
answered Mar 26 at 23:51
dopedope
644
But gramatically, they're identical. They just carry different meanings? (And in the example, it sounds like “enables” better describes what passwords do?)
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:13
Grammatically yes, they're identical. But they carry different meanings. So you're right to think that the problem was within you when perceiving the phrase as erroneous. 'Enables' definitely describes the function of the user being given the password better than 'allow' would. As I've attempted to lay out in my answer. :)
– dope
Mar 27 at 0:17
add a comment |
Enables implies that this uncovers a new ability for the user to log in.
Using a different wording:
The password gives users the ability to login.
Whereas allows implies that the user has been given the permission to login as if they weren't allowed before.
Attempting to put this into a different wording:
The password gives users permission to login
This is erroneous as the permission may in this case already be granted and they simply haven't had the ability to login with their own credentials until now.
A good way to remember how this would work is if you split the word 'enable' into two - 'en' and 'able'. Using this logic, you quickly remind yourself that you're making someone able to do something.
answered Mar 26 at 23:51
dopedope
644
But gramatically, they're identical. They just carry different meanings? (And in the example, it sounds like “enables” better describes what passwords do?)
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:13
Grammatically yes, they're identical. But they carry different meanings. So you're right to think that the problem was within you when perceiving the phrase as erroneous. 'Enables' definitely describes the function of the user being given the password better than 'allow' would. As I've attempted to lay out in my answer. :)
– dope
Mar 27 at 0:17
add a comment |
Enables implies that this uncovers a new ability for the user to log in.
Using a different wording:
The password gives users the ability to login.
Whereas allows implies that the user has been given the permission to login as if they weren't allowed before.
Attempting to put this into a different wording:
The password gives users permission to login
This is erroneous as the permission may in this case already be granted and they simply haven't had the ability to login with their own credentials until now.
A good way to remember how this would work is if you split the word 'enable' into two - 'en' and 'able'. Using this logic, you quickly remind yourself that you're making someone able to do something.
answered Mar 26 at 23:51
dopedope
644
Enables implies that this uncovers a new ability for the user to log in.
Using a different wording:
The password gives users the ability to login.
Whereas allows implies that the user has been given the permission to login as if they weren't allowed before.
Attempting to put this into a different wording:
The password gives users permission to login
This is erroneous as the permission may in this case already be granted and they simply haven't had the ability to login with their own credentials until now.
A good way to remember how this would work is if you split the word 'enable' into two - 'en' and 'able'. Using this logic, you quickly remind yourself that you're making someone able to do something.
answered Mar 26 at 23:51
dopedope
644
edited Mar 28 at 17:12
answered Mar 26 at 23:51
dopedope
644
answered Mar 26 at 23:51
dopedope
644
answered Mar 26 at 23:51
dopedope
644
644
But gramatically, they're identical. They just carry different meanings? (And in the example, it sounds like “enables” better describes what passwords do?)
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:13
Grammatically yes, they're identical. But they carry different meanings. So you're right to think that the problem was within you when perceiving the phrase as erroneous. 'Enables' definitely describes the function of the user being given the password better than 'allow' would. As I've attempted to lay out in my answer. :)
– dope
Mar 27 at 0:17
add a comment |
But gramatically, they're identical. They just carry different meanings? (And in the example, it sounds like “enables” better describes what passwords do?)
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:13
Grammatically yes, they're identical. But they carry different meanings. So you're right to think that the problem was within you when perceiving the phrase as erroneous. 'Enables' definitely describes the function of the user being given the password better than 'allow' would. As I've attempted to lay out in my answer. :)
– dope
Mar 27 at 0:17
But gramatically, they're identical. They just carry different meanings? (And in the example, it sounds like “enables” better describes what passwords do?)
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:13
But gramatically, they're identical. They just carry different meanings? (And in the example, it sounds like “enables” better describes what passwords do?)
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:13
Grammatically yes, they're identical. But they carry different meanings. So you're right to think that the problem was within you when perceiving the phrase as erroneous. 'Enables' definitely describes the function of the user being given the password better than 'allow' would. As I've attempted to lay out in my answer. :)
– dope
Mar 27 at 0:17
Grammatically yes, they're identical. But they carry different meanings. So you're right to think that the problem was within you when perceiving the phrase as erroneous. 'Enables' definitely describes the function of the user being given the password better than 'allow' would. As I've attempted to lay out in my answer. :)
– dope
Mar 27 at 0:17
add a comment |
"Allow" and "enable" have two different meanings. "Enable" means to provide help and assistance. Enabling has nothing to do with permission or whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier. If we change the word "password" to "guard" this will become clear: "The guard allows visitors to pass through the checkpoint." If we used "enable" then one would ask how the guard helped. Did he carry the person through the gate? Personally, I would use "allow." If you don't have a password, you can't get in.
In researching this answer, I noticed that dictionaries varied on the definition of enable. Merriam Webster has conflicting ideas. One definition is about help and assistance, while another talks about allowing something.
answered Mar 27 at 3:05
michael_timofeevmichael_timofeev
5,80542248
The first sense of enable in the link you provide gives the example a hole in the fence that enabled us to watch. This is no different than a password than enables us to have access or, as you say, "whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier" Also, when you talk about "conflicting ideas," they're not conflicting. They are different senses of the same word.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 27 at 3:18
@JasonBassford The word "enable" has morphed into something similar to allow or give permission, but as far as I know it has always meant to provide aid. People can enable. Personally, I don't think inanimate objects can enable. This is my opinion. Dictionaries online varied in their interpretation of the word.
– michael_timofeev
Mar 27 at 3:25
add a comment |
"Allow" and "enable" have two different meanings. "Enable" means to provide help and assistance. Enabling has nothing to do with permission or whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier. If we change the word "password" to "guard" this will become clear: "The guard allows visitors to pass through the checkpoint." If we used "enable" then one would ask how the guard helped. Did he carry the person through the gate? Personally, I would use "allow." If you don't have a password, you can't get in.
In researching this answer, I noticed that dictionaries varied on the definition of enable. Merriam Webster has conflicting ideas. One definition is about help and assistance, while another talks about allowing something.
answered Mar 27 at 3:05
michael_timofeevmichael_timofeev
5,80542248
The first sense of enable in the link you provide gives the example a hole in the fence that enabled us to watch. This is no different than a password than enables us to have access or, as you say, "whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier" Also, when you talk about "conflicting ideas," they're not conflicting. They are different senses of the same word.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 27 at 3:18
@JasonBassford The word "enable" has morphed into something similar to allow or give permission, but as far as I know it has always meant to provide aid. People can enable. Personally, I don't think inanimate objects can enable. This is my opinion. Dictionaries online varied in their interpretation of the word.
– michael_timofeev
Mar 27 at 3:25
add a comment |
"Allow" and "enable" have two different meanings. "Enable" means to provide help and assistance. Enabling has nothing to do with permission or whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier. If we change the word "password" to "guard" this will become clear: "The guard allows visitors to pass through the checkpoint." If we used "enable" then one would ask how the guard helped. Did he carry the person through the gate? Personally, I would use "allow." If you don't have a password, you can't get in.
In researching this answer, I noticed that dictionaries varied on the definition of enable. Merriam Webster has conflicting ideas. One definition is about help and assistance, while another talks about allowing something.
answered Mar 27 at 3:05
michael_timofeevmichael_timofeev
5,80542248
"Allow" and "enable" have two different meanings. "Enable" means to provide help and assistance. Enabling has nothing to do with permission or whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier. If we change the word "password" to "guard" this will become clear: "The guard allows visitors to pass through the checkpoint." If we used "enable" then one would ask how the guard helped. Did he carry the person through the gate? Personally, I would use "allow." If you don't have a password, you can't get in.
In researching this answer, I noticed that dictionaries varied on the definition of enable. Merriam Webster has conflicting ideas. One definition is about help and assistance, while another talks about allowing something.
answered Mar 27 at 3:05
michael_timofeevmichael_timofeev
5,80542248
answered Mar 27 at 3:05
michael_timofeevmichael_timofeev
5,80542248
answered Mar 27 at 3:05
michael_timofeevmichael_timofeev
5,80542248
answered Mar 27 at 3:05
michael_timofeevmichael_timofeev
5,80542248
5,80542248
The first sense of enable in the link you provide gives the example a hole in the fence that enabled us to watch. This is no different than a password than enables us to have access or, as you say, "whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier" Also, when you talk about "conflicting ideas," they're not conflicting. They are different senses of the same word.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 27 at 3:18
@JasonBassford The word "enable" has morphed into something similar to allow or give permission, but as far as I know it has always meant to provide aid. People can enable. Personally, I don't think inanimate objects can enable. This is my opinion. Dictionaries online varied in their interpretation of the word.
– michael_timofeev
Mar 27 at 3:25
add a comment |
The first sense of enable in the link you provide gives the example a hole in the fence that enabled us to watch. This is no different than a password than enables us to have access or, as you say, "whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier" Also, when you talk about "conflicting ideas," they're not conflicting. They are different senses of the same word.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 27 at 3:18
@JasonBassford The word "enable" has morphed into something similar to allow or give permission, but as far as I know it has always meant to provide aid. People can enable. Personally, I don't think inanimate objects can enable. This is my opinion. Dictionaries online varied in their interpretation of the word.
– michael_timofeev
Mar 27 at 3:25
The first sense of enable in the link you provide gives the example a hole in the fence that enabled us to watch. This is no different than a password than enables us to have access or, as you say, "whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier" Also, when you talk about "conflicting ideas," they're not conflicting. They are different senses of the same word.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 27 at 3:18
The first sense of enable in the link you provide gives the example a hole in the fence that enabled us to watch. This is no different than a password than enables us to have access or, as you say, "whether something can or cannot pass through a barrier" Also, when you talk about "conflicting ideas," they're not conflicting. They are different senses of the same word.
– Jason Bassford
Mar 27 at 3:18
@JasonBassford The word "enable" has morphed into something similar to allow or give permission, but as far as I know it has always meant to provide aid. People can enable. Personally, I don't think inanimate objects can enable. This is my opinion. Dictionaries online varied in their interpretation of the word.
– michael_timofeev
Mar 27 at 3:25
@JasonBassford The word "enable" has morphed into something similar to allow or give permission, but as far as I know it has always meant to provide aid. People can enable. Personally, I don't think inanimate objects can enable. This is my opinion. Dictionaries online varied in their interpretation of the word.
– michael_timofeev
Mar 27 at 3:25
add a comment |
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They are sometimes equivalent. A guard dog allows you to enter a house, sounds more plausible than the guard dog enabling your entry, unless you had somehow “provided” the dog to the homeowner.
– Global Charm
Mar 26 at 23:55
Ok, so, as @HideMe says below -- the difference is about granting permission (allows) vs bestowing new abilities (enables).
– Eric Portis
Mar 27 at 0:14