Permissible vs. Allowable — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 20, 2024
Permissible refers to something being permitted within legal or moral limits, while allowable suggests it's accepted within specific rules or standards.
Difference Between Permissible and Allowable
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Permissible actions or behaviors are those that are allowed or not forbidden by law, regulations, or societal norms. These are often grounded in legal or ethical frameworks that define what is acceptable in a broader context. On the other hand, allowable refers specifically to what is explicitly sanctioned or permitted under a particular set of guidelines, often within technical, financial, or regulatory contexts.
While permissible encompasses a wider range of acceptability, often involving moral considerations, allowable is typically more confined to specific criteria or standards. For example, in a legal context, an action may be permissible if not explicitly prohibited, whereas in accounting, expenses that are allowable are those specifically defined by tax laws.
The concept of permissible is generally broader and can apply to various aspects of life, including behavior that is socially acceptable or actions deemed acceptable by cultural standards. In contrast, allowable often relates to more specialized fields such as engineering, where certain materials or practices meet set safety standards.
Permissible often carries a connotation of tolerance or allowance by default, suggesting that unless something is explicitly prohibited, it is permissible. Allowable, however, usually implies that something must meet specific predefined conditions to be accepted.
Both terms suggest a degree of approval but differ in their typical usage contexts and the breadth of their applicability. Permissible implies a broader acceptance under more general conditions, while allowable indicates compliance with more narrowly defined or specialized parameters.
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Comparison Chart
Scope
Broad, can be legal or moral
Narrow, often technical or regulatory
Usage Context
Legal, ethical, social
Technical, financial, regulatory
Connotation
Generally accepted unless prohibited
Must meet specific criteria to be accepted
Examples
Legal permissions, moral decisions
Budget allowances, safety standards
Associated Fields
Law, ethics, general conduct
Engineering, accounting, management
Compare with Definitions
Permissible
Not prohibited by law or by rules.
The use of calculators is permissible during the exam.
Allowable
Sanctioned or approved under particular conditions.
Noise levels in this facility must stay within allowable limits.
Permissible
Acceptable within societal or ethical norms.
Discussing personal life at work is permissible in many workplaces.
Allowable
Permitted or authorized under specific regulations.
Only allowable chemicals can be used in organic farming.
Permissible
Subject to permission or being granted approval.
Permissible activities in the park include picnicking and jogging.
Allowable
Capable of being included officially, especially in financial contexts.
Travel expenses are allowable deductions for most freelancers.
Permissible
Allowed within a legal or moral framework.
It is permissible to refuse service if a customer is being disruptive.
Allowable
Acceptable according to a particular rule or law.
The allowable amount for a tax-deductible home office expense is clearly defined.
Permissible
Capable of being permitted; allowable.
In some areas, it is permissible to build up to the property line.
Allowable
Defined as acceptable by specific standards or criteria.
The use of certain materials is allowable in green building certifications.
Permissible
Permitted; allowable
Permissible tax deductions.
Permissible behavior in school.
Allowable
To let do or happen; permit
We allow smoking only in restricted areas.
Permissible
Permitted.
Allowable
To permit the presence of
No pets are allowed inside.
Permissible
That may be permitted; allowable; admissible.
Allowable
To permit to have
Allow oneself a little treat.
Permissible
That may be permitted especially as according to rule;
Permissible behavior in school
A permissible tax deduction
Allowable
To make provision for; assign
The schedule allows time for a coffee break.
Permissible
That may be accepted or conceded;
A kind of speculation that was permissible in cosmology but inadmissible in medicine
Allowable
To plan for in case of need
Allow two inches in the fabric for shrinkage.
Allowable
To grant as a discount or in exchange
Allowed me 20 dollars on my old typewriter.
Allowable
To admit; concede
I allowed he was right.
Allowable
To think; suppose
"We allow he's straight" (American Speech).
Allowable
To assert; declare
Mother allowed that we'd better come in for dinner.
Allowable
To offer a possibility; admit
The poem allows of several interpretations.
Allowable
To take a possibility into account; make allowance
In calculating profit, retailers must allow for breakage and spoilage.
Allowable
Appropriate; satisfactory; acceptable.
Allowable
Intellectually admissible; valid; probable.
Allowable
Able to be added or deducted in consideration of something.
Allowable
Permissible; tolerable; legitimate.
Allowable
(obsolete) Praiseworthy.
Allowable
A permitted amount or activity.
Allowable
Praiseworthy; laudable.
Allowable
Proper to be, or capable of being, allowed; permissible; admissible; not forbidden; not unlawful or improper; as, a certain degree of freedom is allowable among friends.
Allowable
Deductible according to the tax laws
Allowable
Deserving to be allowed or considered
Allowable
Possible to allow;
A degree of freedom allowable among friends
Common Curiosities
Are allowable expenses and permissible expenses the same?
Allowable expenses are specifically defined by guidelines, often for tax purposes, whereas permissible expenses might extend to broader or less strictly regulated contexts.
Can something be permissible but not allowable?
Yes, something might be permissible in a wider sense but not allowable under specific rules or criteria.
How do permissible and allowable relate to regulations?
Permissible relates to what is not forbidden by regulations, while allowable refers to what is explicitly defined as acceptable within those regulations.
What does permissible mean in law?
Permissible in law refers to actions or conditions that are not prohibited by legislation.
Why are certain actions only allowable under conditions?
Specific conditions ensure that actions meet safety, quality, or ethical standards before they are considered allowable.
What is an example of something that is permissible but not advisable?
Eating junk food might be permissible but is not advisable from a health perspective.
How does societal context affect what is considered permissible?
Societal norms and cultural values play a significant role in determining what behaviors or actions are considered permissible.
What are typical scenarios where allowances are made?
Allowances are commonly made in financial accounting, such as for depreciation or specific business expenses.
What influences whether something is considered allowable in a professional setting?
Company policies, industry standards, and legal regulations are primary influencers of what is allowable in a professional setting.
How do allowances affect business practices?
Allowances can dictate budgeting, operational practices, and compliance in business settings.
What role do ethics play in determining what is permissible?
Ethical considerations often determine the permissibility of actions, especially in scenarios involving moral judgments.
Can regulations change what is permissible or allowable?
Yes, changes in laws or standards can alter what is deemed permissible or allowable in various contexts.
Why might a permissible action be contested in public opinion?
Public opinion may contest permissible actions if they clash with prevailing moral or ethical standards.
Is it permissible to override what is typically allowable?
Under exceptional circumstances, such as emergencies, it might be permissible to override standard allowances.
How do permissions differ in different cultural contexts?
Cultural variations can significantly influence what is considered permissible or allowable, reflecting diverse values and norms.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
