Questions & Answers about Ich lasse es nicht zu, dass du aufgibst.
Why is the word es in this sentence?
The es acts as a placeholder object (sometimes called a "Korrelat"). The verb zulassen (to allow) needs an object to show what is being allowed. Because that object is an entire clause here (dass du aufgibst), the es sits in the main sentence to hold its place and point forward to the subordinate clause.
Is the es strictly necessary, or can I just say Ich lasse nicht zu, dass du aufgibst?
With zulassen, the placeholder es is standard and sounds the most natural. In casual spoken German you might hear people drop it, but for B2-level standard German, verbs that express permission, feelings, or judgments typically use this es to smoothly connect to a following dass-clause.
Why can't I translate "allow you to give up" literally using an infinitive, like Ich lasse dich nicht aufzugeben?
English frequently uses the pattern "allow [someone] to [do something]". However, German usually avoids this when there are two different subjects (here: ich doing the allowing, and du doing the giving up). Instead of an infinitive, German prefers a dass-clause. You are literally saying, "I do not allow it, that you give up."
Why is the prefix zu placed right before the comma?