What is disallow? Pronunciation and usage in English

disallow means . Learn how to pronounce and use disallow through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of disallow

disallowverb

/ˌdɪsəˈlaʊ//ˌdɪsəˈlaʊ/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "disallow." Here's a breakdown with phonetic spelling and tips:

Phonetic Spelling (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/dɪˈlaʊ/

Breakdown:

  • di-: Pronounced like "dee" (as in "deep")
  • -sallow: This is the tricky part. It's pronounced like “alow”
    • a: As in "father" - a short "a" sound.
    • low: As in “low”.

Putting it together:

It sounds something like: dee-ah-low

Tips for getting it right:

  • Emphasis: Put the emphasis on the second syllable ("alow"). It's not "dis-ALOW."
  • Smooth transition: Try to connect the "di" and the "alow" smoothly. Don't pause too much between them.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken correctly. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: https://translate.google.com/?hl=en&sl=en&tl=en&text=disallow&op=translate
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/disallow/ (This site has native speakers saying the word)
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce disallow" – you’ll find many videos.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word disallow in English

Let's break down how to use the word "disallow" in English. It's a powerful word with a specific meaning.

1. Core Meaning:

"Disallow" means to refuse to accept something as valid, correct, or permitted. It’s about saying “no” and asserting that something isn’t allowed or acceptable. It’s stronger than simply "reject" or "deny."

2. Grammatical Structure:

  • Verb: It’s used as a verb – an action word.
  • Object: It always takes an object – something it’s disallowing.

3. Common Ways to Use It:

Here's a breakdown with examples:

  • To Refuse a Request/Claim: This is a very common usage.

    • "The judge disallowed the plaintiff's claim for damages." (The judge refused to accept the claim as valid.)
    • "The company disallowed his request for a raise." (The company said no to his request.)
    • "I disallowed her suggestion because it was completely impractical." (I refused to accept her idea.)

  • To Prevent Something from Happening:

    • "The new regulations disallow smoking in public areas." (The regulations prohibit smoking.)
    • "The system disallows unauthorized access to sensitive data." (The system prevents unauthorized entry.)

  • To Reject a Rule or Standard:

    • "The association disallowed the use of certain chemicals." (They refused to accept the use of those chemicals as part of their rules.)
    • “The rules disallow underhand tactics.” (The rules prohibit unfair methods of playing.)

  • Formal/Legal Contexts: "Disallow" is often used in legal, official, or formal writing.

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Refuse
  • Reject
  • Deny
  • Prohibit
  • Forbid
  • Disapprove

5. Key Differences from Related Words:

  • Reject: Can be more general – it simply means to refuse something. "I reject your offer."
  • Deny: Often implies lying or falsely claiming something isn't true. "He denied the accusations."
  • Prohibit: Means to officially forbid something (often used with laws or rules). "The law prohibits discrimination."

6. Example Sentences (Variety):

  • "The airline disallowed his luggage because it exceeded the weight limit."
  • "The board of directors disallowed the proposed merger."
  • "The building code disallows the construction of structures taller than 10 stories."
  • "The committee disallowed the motion, citing a lack of evidence."
  • "He tried to cheat on the exam, but the teacher disallowed his answers."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use "disallow"? (e.g., writing a formal letter, explaining a situation to a friend, etc.)

Synonyms for the word disallow

Practice with vocabulary disallow

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The new company policy will ______ personal use of social media during working hours, citing productivity concerns.
  2. The regulatory body decided to ______ the proposed merger, stating it would create an unfair market monopoly.
  3. University regulations strictly ______ the possession of open flames in dormitory rooms for safety reasons.
  4. Due to the security breach, the IT department had to ______ all external access to the sensitive database.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (Select all that apply)

  1. The updated terms of service explicitly state that the platform will ______ users from posting copyrighted material without proper attribution. A) permit B) enable C) disallow D) authorize E) prohibit

  2. To maintain data integrity, the system is configured to ______ any attempts to modify critical files without administrative privileges. A) encourage B) disallow C) facilitate D) block E) allow

  3. The city council voted to ______ construction in the ecologically sensitive wetlands area. A) promote B) disallow C) approve D) sanction E) ban

  4. Despite a strong argument, the admissions committee chose to ______ her application due to incomplete documentation. A) accept B) disallow C) reject D) grant E) approve

  5. Poor network connectivity will likely ______ smooth video conferencing during the international call. A) facilitate B) enable C) impede D) allow E) assist

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company does not permit employees to take extended personal calls during client meetings. (Rewrite using "disallow")
  2. Access to the secure server is strictly forbidden for anyone without the correct credentials. (Rewrite using "disallow" or a related word form)
  3. The bank manager turned down my request for a loan because of my credit history. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, but not "disallow")

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. The new company policy will disallow personal use of social media during working hours, citing productivity concerns.
  2. The regulatory body decided to disallow the proposed merger, stating it would create an unfair market monopoly.
  3. University regulations strictly forbid the possession of open flames in dormitory rooms for safety reasons.
  4. Due to the security breach, the IT department had to block all external access to the sensitive database.

Exercise 2:

  1. C) disallow, E) prohibit
  2. B) disallow, D) block
  3. B) disallow, E) ban
  4. C) reject
  5. C) impede

Exercise 3:

  1. The company will disallow employees from taking extended personal calls during client meetings.
  2. The system disallows access to the secure server for anyone without the correct credentials. (Alternative: Access to the secure server is disallowed for anyone without the correct credentials.)
  3. The bank manager denied my request for a loan because of my credit history.

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