allow, permit and let 1    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 I 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 4t4s not allowed to smoke-...) Allow, but not permit, can be used with adverb particles. She wouldn't allow me in. Mary isn 't allowed out at night. 2    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. / wasn't allowed to pay for the drinks, (not 4 wasn't le^...) Let can be used with adverb particles; passives are possible. She wouldn't let me in. I've been letdown. almost and nearly 1    meaning: 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. I've very/pretty nearly finished, (not .. .very almost...) 2    other ideas Nearly mostly suggests progress towards a goal or closeness to a figure. We prefer almost for other ideas like 'similar to, but not exactly the same', and to make statements less definite. Jake is almost like a father to me. Our cat understands everything- he's almost human. (not ... he's nearly human.) My aunt's got a strange accent. She almost sounds foreign. (not ... She nearly sounds foreign.) I almost wish I'd stayed at home, (not I nearly wish...) 3    negative words We do not usually use nearly before negative or non-assertive words: never, nobody, nothing, any etc. Instead, we use almost, or we use hardly with ever, anybody, anything etc (see 374.2). She's almost never I hardly ever at home, (not ... nearly never...) Almost nobody I hardly anybody was there. He eats almost anything. alone, lonely, lonesome and lone Alone suggests that a person or thing is separate - there are no others around. Lonely (and informal US lonesome) refers to unhappiness caused by being alone. Compare: / like to be alone for short periods. But after a few days I start getting lonely/lonesome. Alone can be emphasised by all. After her husband died, she was all alone. Alone is not used before a noun (see 15.3). Lone and solitary can be used instead; lone is rather literary. The only green thing was a lone/solitary pine tree. along The preposition along is used with nouns like road, river, corridor, line: words that refer to things with a long thin shape. I saw her running along the road. His office is along the corridor. To talk about periods or activities, we prefer through. through the centuries (not along the centuries) all through the journey (not all along the journey) right through the meal Note the special use of along as an adverb particle in expressions like Come along {- 'Come with me') or walkingalong (= 'walking on one's way'). already and all ready Already is an adverb of time, meaning 'by now', 'sooner than expected'. All ready simply means the same as all + ready. Compare: 'When's Jane coming?"She's already arrived.' Are you all ready?' 'No, Pete isn't' also, as well and too 1    position Also, as well and too have similar meanings, but they do not go in the same position in clauses. Also usually goes with the verb, in 'mid-position' ; as well and too usually go at the end of a clause. As well is less common in American English. She not only sings; she also plays the piano. She not only sings; she plays the piano as well. She not only sings; she plays the piano too. 2    reference These words can refer to different parts of a clause, depending on the meaning. Consider the sentence We have meetings on Sundays as well. This can mean three different things: a   (Other people have meetings on Sundays, and) we have meetings on Sundays as well. b   (We do other things on Sundays, and) we have meetings on Sundays as well. c   (We have meetings on other days, and) we have meetings on Sundays as well. When we speak, we show the exact meaning by stressing the word or expression that also/as well/too refers to. 3    imperatives and short answers As well and too are used in imperatives and 'short answers', but not usually also. Give me some bread as well, please. (More natural than Also give me...) 'She's nice.' 'Her sister is as well' (More natural than 'Her sister is also.) 'I've got a headache." 1have too.' (More natural than 'I also have.) In very informal speech, we often use Me too as a short answer. 'I'm going home.' 'Me too.' More formal equivalents are So am I or lam too, but not I also. 4    also referring to a whole clause Also can be used at the beginning of a clause to refer to the whole clause. It's a nice house, but it's very small. Also, it needs a lot of repairs. 5    too in a formal style In a formal or literary style, too can be placed direcdy after the subject. /, too, have experienced despair. also, as well, too and either in negative clauses 1    negative + negative: either After mentioning a negative idea or fact, we can add another negative point by using not... either. Also, as well and too are not normally used with not in this way. Peter isn't here today. John isn't here either. (not John isn't here also.) I know you don't like me. I don't like you either.  (not I don't like you too.)                                                                                2    affirmative + negative: also/as well/too After mentioning an affirmative (non-negative) fact or idea, we can add a related negative idea by using not... also, not ...as well or not... too. He smokes too much, but at least he doesn't also drink too much.