"allow+V+ing" vs "allow+to+RV"

[Edison_Chen_e_c]

1.Michael didn't allow David to smoke in her place.
So who on earth can't smoke in the lady's place, Michael or David?

2.Michael didn't allow smoking in her place.
So who on earth can't smoke in the lady's place, Michael or anyone?

3.Is the sentence "Michael didn't allow to smoke in her place." correct?

Thanks very much.

[Proalyssa199]

Both the sentences are correct.
The object of the 1st sentence is more specific than that of the 2nd one. David can't smoke in the lady place.
We can rewrite the 2nd one into: Michael didn't allow anyone to smoke in her place

[Alan]

Hi,

Your sentences:

1.Michael didn't allow David to smoke in her place.
So who on earth can't smoke in the lady's place, Michael or David?

2.Michael didn't allow smoking in her place.
So who on earth can't smoke in the lady's place, Michael or anyone?

3.Is the sentence "Michael didn't allow to smoke in her place." correct?

1) suggests that only David wasn't allowed to smoke there.
2) suggests that no smoking was allowed there.

3) doesn't make sense as 'allow' in that sentence needs an object.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Reflections

[Edison_Chen_e_c]

Thanks.