Alloted versus allocated

[Paul B]

In a letter, I saw someone had written this (my capitals):

"we are ALLOTED only 10 minutes".

What is the difference in meaning if it had said this:

"we are ALLOCATED only 10 minutes".

[Mark Brader]

Post by Paul B
"we are ALLOTED only 10 minutes".
"we are ALLOCATED only 10 minutes".

"Allotted" should have a double T.

I think there is just a small shade of difference between them -- in
the context of the available 10-minute slot, they mean practically the
same thing.

To me the use of "allocated" suggests that there is a formal process
for deciding who gets how much time (or money, land, office space, etc.),
and perhaps which particular time. "Allotted" is a bit more general.
It also means that the amount of time was definitely established by
someone, and it could include the same sort of process, but there also
could be a fixed rule that everyone gets 10 minutes.

[Peter Groves]

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Paul B
"we are ALLOTED only 10 minutes".
"we are ALLOCATED only 10 minutes".

"Allotted" should have a double T.
I think there is just a small shade of difference between them -- in
the context of the available 10-minute slot, they mean practically the
same thing.
To me the use of "allocated" suggests that there is a formal process
for deciding who gets how much time (or money, land, office space, etc.),
and perhaps which particular time. "Allotted" is a bit more general.
It also means that the amount of time was definitely established by
someone, and it could include the same sort of process, but there also
could be a fixed rule that everyone gets 10 minutes.
--
Mark Brader, Toronto | I am a mathematician, sir. I never permit myself
My text in this article is in the public domain.

In addition, I think you could say that "allot" belongs to a slightly higher
register: committees allocate, God or the Fates allot.

[Paul B]

Post by Peter Groves

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Paul B
"we are ALLOTED only 10 minutes".
"we are ALLOCATED only 10 minutes".

"Allotted" should have a double T.
I think there is just a small shade of difference between
them -- in the context of the available 10-minute slot, they
mean practically the same thing.
To me the use of "allocated" suggests that there is a formal
process for deciding who gets how much time (or money, land,
office space, etc.), and perhaps which particular time.
"Allotted" is a bit more general. It also means that the
amount of time was definitely established by someone, and it
could include the same sort of process, but there also could
be a fixed rule that everyone gets 10 minutes. --
Mark Brader, Toronto | I am a mathematician, sir. I never
(Carr: The Three Coffins)
My text in this article is in the public domain.

In addition, I think you could say that "allot" belongs to a
slightly higher register: committees allocate, God or the
Fates allot.

Yes, I had a sense of that. If you are allotted something it is
as if it is essentially unchanging. You have received your share
and it is not negotiable.

Allocate seems more to do with the process of allotting and is
therefore theoretically more amenable to persuasion and
lobbying. It seems less final.

I wonder if these two words once shared their original form?

[Peter Groves]

Post by Paul B

Post by Peter Groves

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Paul B
"we are ALLOTED only 10 minutes".
"we are ALLOCATED only 10 minutes".

"Allotted" should have a double T.
I think there is just a small shade of difference between
them -- in the context of the available 10-minute slot, they
mean practically the same thing.
To me the use of "allocated" suggests that there is a formal
process for deciding who gets how much time (or money, land,
office space, etc.), and perhaps which particular time.
"Allotted" is a bit more general. It also means that the
amount of time was definitely established by someone, and it
could include the same sort of process, but there also could
be a fixed rule that everyone gets 10 minutes. --
Mark Brader, Toronto | I am a mathematician, sir. I never
(Carr: The Three Coffins)
My text in this article is in the public domain.

In addition, I think you could say that "allot" belongs to a
slightly higher register: committees allocate, God or the
Fates allot.

Yes, I had a sense of that. If you are allotted something it is
as if it is essentially unchanging. You have received your share
and it is not negotiable.
Allocate seems more to do with the process of allotting and is
therefore theoretically more amenable to persuasion and
lobbying. It seems less final.
I wonder if these two words once shared their original form?

It seems not; the OED gives for "allot" "OFr. alote-r (mod. allotir), f. à
to + loter, lotir to divide by lot, or into lots, f. lot lot, a Teut. word
(Goth. hlauts, OHG. hlô, OE. hlot) of early adoption in the Rom. langs.; It.
lotto, Pg. lote, OFr. lot, whence the vbs. It. lottare, Pg. lotar, Fr.
loter, lotir.", whereas "allocate" prsumably comes from "ad" + "locare"

[James Harris]

        "we are ALLOTED only 10 minutes".
        "we are ALLOCATED only 10 minutes".

I would say the two are often used interchangeably with allocate being
more common. That said perhaps "allot" might be used if talking about
discrete items where "allocate" would be for a continuous range. For
example, you could allocate four and a half metres of rope but not
allot them whereas you might either allot or allocate eight buttons to
each person.

Suggestion: try allot at

http://www.onelook.com/

The links to the V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary seem very useful.

James