The difference between 'lets' and 'let's'

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

Like the title says, today's post looks at the difference between lets and let's.


Let is a word with an interesting variety of meanings and usages. In the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, for example, 'to let' is used in the sense of renting out or leasing property - there may be a 'to let' section in the newspaper rather than a 'for rent' section. And there is the old phrase without let or hindrance, where let is used in the archaic sense of preventing something rather than permitting it.

However, the most common use of let is in the sense of causing or permitting an action.

Lets without the apostrophe is a present tense verb.

Steel lets go of Sapphire only once he's sure that she's safely anchored in the present.

"If Elizabeth lets Sheppard get away with that...." Rodney paused. "I wouldn't be at all surprised."

Let's is a contraction of let us, and indicates a suggested course of action.

Blair tried wheedling. "Come on, Jim. Let's go to that vegetarian place instead of Wonderburger."

"This new snitch lets us down too much, so let's try someone more reliable next time," Doyle said irritably.

The difference in meaning between the two uses is sometimes confused, and you meet up with expressions like "Let's you and I get together" in song lyrics or speech, which isn't at all correct but seems to sneak in anyway.

Today's examples are brought to you by Sapphire and Steel, Stargate Atlantis, The Sentinel and The Professionals.


Some associated links:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/let

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/without-let-or-hindrance.html

Comments

[campylobacter.livejournal.com]

(http://pics.livejournal.com/campylobacter/pic/000wxz6k)

BONUS: Relevant but Not Safe for Work comic from Warehouse:
A Readily Appreciable demonstration of the Importance of the Correct Use of the Apostrophe v. the Comma in Grammatically Crucial Situations (http://www.warehousecomic.com/comic_539.php)

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

Heh. Your examples are more fun than mine. I don't know whether I should pout or giggle.

[campylobacter.livejournal.com]

Aw, it takes a village to raise good fandom grammar to readable levels!

I'm just stoked whenever Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Farscape, Firefly, or The X-Files are used as examples.

[dark-weezing.livejournal.com]

I always knew the difference, but "let's" always felt funky to me. Good to know. Thank you.

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. :-)

[kamben87.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thank you so much :D