Use of make, let and allow worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to solve each part of the worksheet.

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Part 1: Grammar Box – Fill in A and B

We are given example sentences using make, let, and allow. We need to figure out their meanings and forms.

A. Meaning

Look at the examples:

- “The firm lets his workers use...” → gives permission
- “The boss allowed the workers to set...” → also gives permission
- “The firm makes the workers take holidays...” → forces them
- “The workers are made to take holidays...” → passive form of force

So:

→ let and allow mean *give permission to do something*.
→ make means *force to do something*.

Fill in:

> | let | and | allow | mean give permission to do something.
> | make | means force to do something.

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B. Form

Now look at how they’re used grammatically.

From examples:

- “lets his workers use” → let + someone + base verb (no ‘to’)
- “makes the workers take” → make + someone + base verb
- “allowed the workers to set” → allow + someone + to + verb
- Passive: “are made to take” → be + made + to + verb
- Passive: “are allowed to set” → be + allowed + to + verb
- Also: “let” cannot be used in passive — we don’t say “are let to...”

So fill in:

> | let | someone do something.
> Passive: be | let | to do something. ← Wait! Actually, “let” is NOT used in passive — so this line should be crossed or noted as not possible. But according to the box structure, it says “Passive: be ___ to do something.” for let? That’s incorrect grammar. Let’s check the original examples again.

Actually, looking back:

In the grammar box, under “Form”, it lists:

- | ___ | someone do something. → that’s let and make
- Passive: be | ___ | to do something. → that’s made and allowed
- Then another: | ___ | someone to do something. → that’s allow
- Passive: be | ___ | to do something. → again allowed
- Then: | ___ | someone do something. → maybe repeating?
- And finally: | ___ | cannot be used in the passive. → that’s let

Wait — let’s reorganize based on standard grammar:

✔ let + object + base verb → e.g., She lets me go.
✘ No passive with “let” → We don’t say “I am let to go.”

✔ make + object + base verb → e.g., He makes me clean.
✔ Passive: be + made + to + verb → e.g., I am made to clean.

✔ allow + object + to + verb → e.g., They allow me to leave.
✔ Passive: be + allowed + to + verb → e.g., I am allowed to leave.

So filling the blanks correctly:

> | let | someone do something.
> Passive: be | — | to do something. → but since “let” can’t be passive, perhaps the blank is left empty or marked N/A. However, the worksheet seems to expect us to write the word even if it doesn’t work? Let’s follow the pattern from the examples.

Looking at the actual lines in the worksheet:

It says:

```
| | someone do something.
Passive: be | | to do something.
| | someone to do something.
Passive: be | | to do something.
| | someone do something.
| | cannot be used in the passive.
```

There are 6 lines. Let’s match:

Line 1: “___ someone do something” → could be let or make

But then Line 5 is also “___ someone do something” — probably make

Line 3: “___ someone to do something” → allow

Then passives:

Line 2: Passive after first active → likely made (since make becomes “be made to”)

Line 4: Passive after allow → allowed

Line 6: “cannot be used in passive” → let

So let’s assign:

> | let | someone do something.
> Passive: be | made | to do something. ← wait no, that doesn’t match. The passive line follows the previous active.

Actually, the layout might be grouped:

Group 1:
- Active: [let] someone do something.
- Passive: be [?] to do something. → but let has no passive → so maybe this group is for “make”?

Better approach: Match each pair.

From standard usage:

Pair 1:
Active: make someone do something
Passive: be made to do something

Pair 2:
Active: allow someone to do something
Passive: be allowed to do something

Pair 3:
Active: let someone do something
Passive: — (not possible) → so last line says “___ cannot be used in passive” → that’s let

And there’s an extra “___ someone do something” — probably duplicate or for emphasis.

Given the worksheet’s structure, here’s the most logical fill:

> | make | someone do something.
> Passive: be | made | to do something.
> | allow | someone to do something.
> Passive: be | allowed | to do something.
> | let | someone do something.
> | let | cannot be used in the passive.

Yes — that fits all 6 lines.

So final for Part 1B:

> | make | someone do something.
> Passive: be | made | to do something.
> | allow | someone to do something.
> Passive: be | allowed | to do something.
> | let | someone do something.
> | let | cannot be used in the passive.

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Part 2: Rewrite sentences using make, let, or allow

Example given:
Original: He allowed his workers to take more responsibility.
Rewritten: He let his workers take more responsibility.
(Both mean same thing — giving permission)

Now do the others:

1. Original: The manager has to do the photocopying.
→ This implies he is forced. So: John makes him do the photocopying.
Answer: John makes him do the photocopying.

2. Original: John doesn't let the bosses shut themselves away.
→ Rewrite using passive? It says “The bosses aren’t ___”
Since “let” can’t be passive, we must use “allowed”? But meaning changes.

Wait — original: John doesn’t let the bosses shut themselves away → meaning he prevents them.

To rewrite with passive: “The bosses aren’t allowed to shut themselves away.” → That works, because “not allowed” = prevented.

Answer: The bosses aren’t allowed to shut themselves away.

3. Original: The workers are free to decorate the workspace as they want.
→ Means they have permission → “The workers are allowed to decorate...”

Answer: The workers are allowed to decorate the workspace as they want.

4. Original: The workers don't have to wear suits.
→ Means they are not forced → “John doesn’t make the workers wear suits.”

Answer: John doesn’t make the workers wear suits.

5. Original: The workers can use the company's machines for their own projects.
→ Permission → “John lets the workers use...” OR “allows”

Either works. Let’s pick “lets” to vary.

Answer: John lets the workers use the company's machines for their own projects.

(Note: typo in original says “comany’s” — we’ll correct to “company’s”)

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Part 3: Complete the sentences with a suitable ending

These are open-ended, but must fit the grammar of make/let/allow.

1. Our boss is very relaxed. She lets | ___ |.
→ She lets employees do something flexible.
Example: She lets us choose our own hours.

2. The employees have great holidays. They're allowed | ___ |.
→ They’re allowed to take long breaks or travel.
Example: They’re allowed to take three weeks off.

3. He was wearing dirty clothes in the office. So the boss made | ___ |.
→ Forced him to change or wash.
Example: So the boss made him go home and change.

4. It wasn't a very good job. The workers were made | ___ |.
→ Forced to do something unpleasant.
Example: The workers were made to work overtime.

5. It's my favourite airline. They allow | ___ |.
→ Allow passengers to do something nice.
Example: They allow you to bring extra baggage.

6. Don't go near the computer! You're not allowed | ___ |.
→ Not permitted to touch or use it.
Example: You're not allowed to touch it.

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Now compile all answers clearly.

Final Answer:

Part 1A:
- let and allow mean give permission to do something.
- make means force to do something.

Part 1B:
- make someone do something.
- Passive: be made to do something.
- allow someone to do something.
- Passive: be allowed to do something.
- let someone do something.
- let cannot be used in the passive.

Part 2:
1. John makes him do the photocopying.
2. The bosses aren’t allowed to shut themselves away.
3. The workers are allowed to decorate the workspace as they want.
4. John doesn’t make the workers wear suits.
5. John lets the workers use the company’s machines for their own projects.

Part 3:
1. She lets us leave early on Fridays.
2. They’re allowed to take four weeks of vacation.
3. So the boss made him wash his uniform.
4. The workers were made to redo the entire project.
5. They allow you to select your seat for free.
6. You’re not allowed to install any software.