Explanation at your level:
Use let when you want to say 'yes' to someone. For example, if a friend asks, 'Can I sit here?', you can say, 'Yes, let me sit here' or 'Let's sit together.' It is very easy to use.
You use let to give permission. 'My mom let me go to the park.' It is also used to make suggestions, like 'Let's go home' or 'Let's eat pizza.' It is a very helpful word for daily life.
At this level, you will see let in more complex structures. We use it to talk about renting, like 'He let his house to a student.' We also use it in fixed phrases like 'let someone know' to mean 'inform them.'
Let appears in many idiomatic expressions that add nuance to your speech. Phrases like 'let off the hook' or 'let the cat out of the bag' are common. You also start to notice the difference between 'let' (permission) and 'allow' (more formal).
In advanced English, let is often used in the imperative for emphasis, such as 'Let there be light.' It is also common in legal contexts regarding property. You will notice that while 'allow' is often interchangeable, 'let' carries a more personal or permissive tone.
Mastering let involves understanding its archaic roots, such as in the phrase 'let or hindrance.' You will also encounter it in literary contexts where the rhythm of the sentence dictates the choice of 'let' over synonyms. It is a foundational verb that bridges the gap between simple permission and complex legal or figurative concepts.
30 सेकंड में शब्द
- Means to allow or permit.
- Irregular verb: let-let-let.
- Used for suggestions with 'let's'.
- Also means to rent property.
The word let is one of the most common verbs in the English language. At its heart, it means to allow or permit.
When you let someone do something, you are simply stepping out of their way and giving them your consent. It is a very flexible word used in everything from casual requests to formal property agreements.
The word let comes from the Old English word lætan, which meant to leave behind or to allow. It has deep Germanic roots and is related to the German word lassen.
Interestingly, it once had a completely opposite meaning: to hinder or obstruct. You can still see this in the phrase 'without let or hindrance' in legal documents!
You will most often hear let followed by an object and an infinitive without 'to'. For example: 'Let me help you.'
In British English, it is also the standard term for renting out property, such as a 'flat to let.' In American English, 'rent' is more common for this purpose.
Let go: To release or stop holding onto something. Let be: To leave something alone. Let down: To disappoint someone. Let slide: To ignore a mistake. Let off steam: To release pent-up energy or anger.
The verb let is irregular. Its past tense and past participle are also let, which makes it easy to conjugate!
It is pronounced /lɛt/. It rhymes with words like bet, get, met, net, and set.
Fun Fact
The word once meant both 'to allow' and 'to stop', which is a linguistic phenomenon called a contronym.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'e' sound, crisp 't' at the end.
Similar to UK, clear 't' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'late'
- Adding an extra syllable
- Softening the 't' too much
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
very easy
very easy
very easy
very easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
एडवांस्ड
Grammar to Know
Imperative Mood
Let's go!
Infinitive without to
Let me help.
Irregular Verbs
let-let-let
Examples by Level
Let me help you.
Allow me to help.
let + object + verb
Let's go.
Let us go.
Let's = Let us
Let him sit.
Allow him to sit.
let + object + verb
Let her play.
Allow her to play.
let + object + verb
Let it be.
Leave it alone.
let + object + verb
Let me see.
I want to look.
let + object + verb
Let them in.
Open the door for them.
let + object + verb
Let us talk.
We should speak.
let + object + verb
Let me know when you arrive.
He let the dog out.
Please let me finish my work.
Let's meet at the cafe.
She wouldn't let me leave.
Don't let him see the gift.
They let the room for cheap.
Let's try again tomorrow.
I'll let you know the results.
She let her hair down at the party.
He let the opportunity slip away.
They let the house for a year.
Let me think about it.
Don't let the noise bother you.
He let himself in with a key.
Let's get this over with.
He let out a sigh of relief.
She was let go from her job.
Don't let your emotions control you.
He let the secret slip.
They let the contract expire.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
She let it be known that she was leaving.
He let the team down by missing the goal.
The landlord let the property to a local family.
He let his guard down for a moment.
Let it be recorded that I objected.
She let the conversation drift to other topics.
The law does not let such behavior pass.
He let his imagination run wild.
They let the matter rest for now.
The silence let the tension build.
Without let or hindrance, they proceeded.
He let fly a stream of insults.
She let the wine breathe before serving.
Let us consider the implications of this.
He let his anger get the better of him.
The architect let light into the room.
She let the moment pass without comment.
They let the land lie fallow for a season.
सामान्य शब्द संयोजन
Idioms & Expressions
"let the cat out of the bag"
reveal a secret
She let the cat out of the bag about the party.
casual"let off the hook"
excuse from responsibility
The boss let him off the hook.
casual"let sleeping dogs lie"
avoid trouble
It's better to let sleeping dogs lie.
neutral"let your hair down"
relax
It's time to let your hair down.
casual"let rip"
act without restraint
He just let rip at the meeting.
casual"let the grass grow under one's feet"
delay action
Don't let the grass grow under your feet.
neutralEasily Confused
similar meanings in some contexts
leave means to go away, let means to allow
I will leave now / Let me go.
both mean permission
allow is more formal
He allowed it / He let it happen.
both relate to property
rent is more universal
I rent a flat / I have a flat to let.
both mean permission
permit implies official rules
Permit required / Let me in.
Sentence Patterns
Let + object + verb
Let him speak.
Let's + verb
Let's eat.
Don't + let + object + verb
Don't let him leave.
Let + object + be + adjective
Let it be known.
Let + object + out
Let the dog out.
शब्द परिवार
Nouns
Verbs
संबंधित
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
सामान्य गलतियाँ
let is followed by an infinitive without 'to'
no 'to' after let
let is an irregular verb
no 'to' after let
incorrect preposition usage
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a gatekeeper opening a gate.
Native Speakers
Use 'Let's' for suggestions.
Cultural Insight
Used in many famous song titles.
Grammar Shortcut
No 'to' needed.
Say It Right
Keep it short.
Don't Make This Mistake
Never say 'letted'.
Did You Know?
It used to mean stop.
Study Smart
Learn it with phrasal verbs.
Verb Patterns
Follow with base verb.
Register
Use 'allow' for formal emails.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
LET = Leave Everything To them (let them do it).
Visual Association
A gate being opened to let someone pass through.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Write 5 sentences using 'Let's'.
शब्द की उत्पत्ति
Old English
Original meaning: to leave, to allow, or to hinder
सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ
None
Used daily in all contexts, from parenting to business.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- Let me try
- Let's work together
- Let the teacher speak
at home
- Let me help
- Let's eat dinner
- Don't let the door slam
at work
- Let me know
- Let's schedule a meeting
- Let's review this
travel
- Let me through
- Let's check the map
- Let's go to the hotel
Conversation Starters
"What is something you let yourself do to relax?"
"Do you let others help you with work?"
"What is a rule you think should be let slide?"
"When was the last time you let someone down?"
"What would you let your kids do that your parents didn't?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to let go of something.
Describe a situation where you were not let into a place.
How do you feel when someone lets you down?
If you could let yourself do anything for a day, what would it be?
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
8 सवालNo, it is followed by the base form of the verb.
It is just 'let'.
Yes, primarily in British English.
Allow is more formal.
Yes, but 'permit' is often preferred.
It is a contraction of 'let us'.
No, it is an irregular verb.
Use 'do not let' or 'don't let'.
खुद को परखो
___ me help you with that.
The imperative form is 'Let'.
Which sentence is correct?
No 'to' after let.
The past tense of let is letted.
The past tense is also let.
Word
मतलब
These are common phrasal verbs.
Standard request structure.
स्कोर: /5
Summary
The word 'let' is a simple, versatile verb used to grant permission, make suggestions, or describe renting property.
- Means to allow or permit.
- Irregular verb: let-let-let.
- Used for suggestions with 'let's'.
- Also means to rent property.
Memory Palace
Imagine a gatekeeper opening a gate.
Native Speakers
Use 'Let's' for suggestions.
Cultural Insight
Used in many famous song titles.
Grammar Shortcut
No 'to' needed.
Related Content
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यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में
संबंधित मुहावरे
general के और शब्द
about
A1'about' का मतलब होता है 'किसी चीज़ के बारे में' या 'लगभग' किसी मात्रा के लिए।
above
A2किसी चीज़ से ऊँचे स्थान पर होना, ठीक ऊपर।
accident
A2एक दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण घटना जिससे नुकसान या चोट लग सकती है।
action
A2किसी लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करने के लिए कुछ करने की क्रिया।
after
A2'after' का मतलब होता है 'किसी चीज़ के बाद', समय या स्थान में।
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2'again' का मतलब है 'फिर से', यानी कोई चीज़ दोबारा होना।
aged
B1किसी व्यक्ति या चीज़ की उम्र बताने के लिए इस्तेमाल होता है।
alive
A2जो जीवित है, मृत नहीं है।
all
A2'all' का मतलब है 'सब' या 'पूरा', किसी चीज़ की पूरी मात्रा या हर एक हिस्सा।
