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What are Let, Lets and Let’s? How to distinguish the three words

Let is quite versatile and has several variants, including Let, Lets and Let’s. Each structure has a different meaning and usage. In this article, PREP will focus on each structure and related knowledge to help you distinguish Let, Lets and Let’s.

Differences of 3 words Let, Lets and Let’s in English

I. Let
II. What is Lets?
III. Let's
IV. Distinguishing Let, Lets and Let’s
V. Distinguishing Allow, Permit, and Let
VI. Exercises with Let, Lets and Let’s
1. 1. Exercise
2. 2. Answer

I. Let

Let’s explore the definition, formula, and words/phrases associated with Let!

1. What is Let?

Let is pronounced as /let/ and functions as a verb, adverb, and noun with various meanings.

As a verb, Let means: to allow something to happen or someone to do something by not doing anything to stop an action or by giving your permission. Example: Don’t let it worry you.
As an adverb, Let means: used after a negative statement to emphasize how unlikely a situation is because something much more likely has never happened. Example: Some people never even read a newspaper, let alone a book.
Let acts as a noun in the phrase: without let or hindrance, meaning: without being prevented from doing something. Example: People will be able to travel from country to country without let or hindrance.

Additionally, Let serves as a suffix when combined with other vocabulary, meaning: small, not very important. Example:

After the rain, the children enjoyed splashing in the puddlelets on the sidewalk.
The mother bird fed the nestlings small insectlets she caught from the garden.

2. Use of Let

Use of Let	Meaning	Example
Let someone + do something	To allow something to happen or someone to do something by not doing anything to stop an action or by giving your permission	She lets me look at the photos.
Let someone + do something	Used to show that you accept what is going to happen, although you do not like it; used to say that you wish something to happen very much	Let me move these books out of your way.
Let + object	To allow your house or land to be lived in or used by someone else in exchange for a regular payment	They’ve let their house for the whole summer.

3. Common words/phrases used with Let

Common words/phrases used with Let	Meaning	Example
Let someone down	to disappoint someone by failing to do what you agreed to do or were expected to do	I promised to help her with the project, but I let her down by not showing up.
Let someone/something in	to allow someone or something to enter	Can you let the dog in? It's cold outside.
Let yourself in for something	to become involved in a difficult or unpleasant situation without intending to	By agreeing to organize the event, you really let yourself in for a lot of work.
Let someone in on something	to tell someone about something that is secret, or to allow someone to become involved in something that only very few people are involved in	She let me in on her plans to start a new business.
Let something into something	to put something into a flat surface so that it does not stick out	The windows were open to let fresh air into the room.
Let someone off	to not punish someone who has committed a crime or done something wrong, or to not punish them severely	The teacher let him off with a warning instead of giving him detention.
Let someone/something out	to allow someone or something to leave a place, especially by opening a closed or locked door	She let the cat out so it could explore the garden.

4. Idioms with Let

Idioms with Let	Meaning	Example
Let someone be	to stop criticizing or annoying someone	He looks upset. Let's just let him be for a while.
Let someone go	allow someone or something to escape or go free	Due to budget cuts, the company had to let several employees go.
Let something go/pass	to not correct or argue with something that a person says or does that is wrong	I decided to let his rude comment go and not let it ruin my day.
Let yourself go	If you let yourself go, you relax and behave much more freely than usual	On the dance floor, she really let herself go and enjoyed the music.
Let your hair down	to allow yourself to behave much more freely than usual and enjoy yourself	Come on, let your hair down for once!
Let someone have it	to attack someone with words or physically	When he found out about the mistake, he really let them have it.
Let someone in on a secret	to allow someone to know something that you have not told anyone else	I'm going to let you in on a secret – I'm planning a surprise party for her.
Let someone know	to tell someone something	Please let me know if you can attend the meeting.
Let something slip	to tell people about something without intending to	He let it slip that he was planning to quit his job soon.

II. What is Lets?

The word Lets can be confusing for some, but it is simply the verb conjugated in the present simple tense for third-person singular subjects (he, she, it, etc.). The formula is:

S (third-person singular) + lets + somebody/something + V (base form)

Example:

He always lets me use his chair.
She lets me know the story about Jack and John.

III. Let's

What is the difference between Let, Lets and Let’s? Let’s learn about Let's before answering this question!

1. What is Let’s?

Let's is a contraction of "Let us". Let's is used to express a suggestion or request that includes you and the other person or people. Example:

Let's go out to dinner.
Let us consider all the possibilities.

2. Formula for Let’s

Let’s + do something	used to express a suggestion or request that includes you and the other person or people (informal)	Let’s go out to lunch. None of us has much money so let’s combine what we have.
Let us + do something	When you ask for permission to do something, use "Let us" without the contraction to show respect and sincerity.	Please let us come in. It’s very hot. Let us rest. We are exhausted.

3. Negative form of Let’s

The negative form of Let’s:

Let’s not + V

Example:

Let’s not fight over the toys, we can take turns.
Let’s not walk across this way, it is slippery.

4. Rewriting sentences with Let’s

In IELTS preparation and other educational levels, rewriting sentences using the Let's structure is a common exercise. Let’s guide you on how to write these accurately!

Structure	Example
Why don’t we/you + V (base form)	Why don’t we go to the beach this weekend?
Why not + V (base form)	Why not take a break and go for a walk?
How about + Ving/Noun/noun phrase	How about going for a hike this Saturday?
What about + Ving/Noun/Noun phrase	What about trying a new hobby?
Shall/Will we + V (base form)	Shall we watch a movie tonight?

The structures above can be rewritten with Let's and vice versa:

Let’s + V (base form)

Example: Let’s go to London this week.

We can rewrite the sentence as follows:

Why don’t we go to London this week?
How about going to London this week?
What about going to London this week?
Shall we go to London this week?
Why not go to London this week?

IV. Distinguishing Let, Lets and Let’s

What is the difference between Let's and Lets? Here is a detailed comparison table:

	Let	Lets	Let’s
Meaning	to allow something to happen or someone to do something by not doing anything to stop an action or by giving your permission		used to express a suggestion or request that includes you and the other person or people
Usage	Used for plural subjects such as I, We, You. Used in the past tense.	Used for third-person singular subjects.	Used when making a suggestion or proposal (a contraction of “Let us”).
Example	They let their hair grow long. She let her friends in on his little secret.	My boss lets me do whatever I want.	Let’s go to school.

V. Distinguishing Allow, Permit, and Let

In addition to understanding the differences of Let, Lets and Let’s, let’s also distinguish between Allow, Permit, and Let!

	Allow	Permit	Let
Differences	To give permission for someone to do something, or to not prevent something from happening It is quite formal.	To give official permission, often related to laws or regulations. It is very formal and typically used in legal contexts with specific rules and procedures.	To allow something to happen or someone to do something by not doing anything to stop an action or by giving your permission It is informal and commonly used in everyday communication.
	The teacher allowed the students to leave early. Smoking is not allowed in this building.	The company does not permit employees to use personal devices at work. Photography is permitted inside the museum.	Let me help you with that. Her parents let her stay out late on weekends.

VI. Exercises with Let, Lets and Let’s

Let’s complete exercises with Let, Lets and Let’s to reinforce the knowledge you have learned!

1. Exercise

Exercise 1: Rewrite sentences using Let’s

1. Shall we go to the Cinema?

2. Why don’t we sing “We don’t talk anymore”?

3. How about going to the CGV?

4. Why not call John?

5. Shall we go to Lisa’s house?

Exercise 2: Fill in the correct form of the verb in parentheses: Let, Lets or Let’s

1. Let me …….(tell) you about Hanna’s story.

2. Let’s …..(hang) out!

3. My dad let me ……..(visit) my uncle every weekend.

4. Let us ………(help) you do this homework.

5. She usually lets me ………(go) out.

6. Let’s not …….(throw) away these papers! We can sell them.

7. Let me…….(show) you the way to CGV!

8. The boss lets him…….(get) the job.

9. Let’s……(take) a walk around the park!

10. My sister …..(let) me go out with my friends.

Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks with (Let, Let’s or Lets)

1. …… not push! Line up, come on!

2. If you are hungry, …. your sister finish working, and then she will cook dinner.

3. My son needs your permission to do this. Please ….. him do this!

4. The taxi is coming, …….. go!

5. Jessica often …….. Bob attend meetings on her behalf.

2. Answer

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

1. Let’s go to the Cinema!

2. Let’s sing “We don’t talk anymore”!

3. Let’s go to the CGV!

4. Let’s call John!

5. Let’s go to Lisa’s house!

1. Tell

2. hang

3. Visit

4. Help

5. Go

6. Throw

7. Show

8. Get

9. Take

10. Lets

1. Let’s not push! Line up, come on!

2. If you are hungry, let your sister finish working, and then she will cook dinner.

3. My son needs your permission to do this. Please let him do this!

4. The taxi is coming, let’s go!

5. Jessica often lets Bob attend meetings on her behalf.

PREP has introduced and detailed of Let, Lets and Let’s so you can confidently apply them in communication and English exercises. After reading the theory, don’t forget to complete the exercises to solidify your understanding of the structures of Let, Lets and Let’s! Wishing you success!

Master Tu Pham

Founder/CEO at Prep

Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.