Let’s, Let, or Letted: Mastering the Past Tense of ‘Let’

Understanding the correct past tense of irregular verbs like ‘let’ is crucial for clear and accurate communication in English. Choosing the wrong form can lead to confusion and grammatical errors.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to the verb ‘let,’ covering its definition, forms, usage, common mistakes, and practical exercises. Whether you’re an ESL student, a writer, or simply someone looking to improve their grammar skills, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to use ‘let’ correctly in all its tenses.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of ‘Let’
• Structural Breakdown
• Forms of “Let”
• Examples of ‘Let’ in Different Tenses
• Usage Rules of ‘Let’
• Common Mistakes with ‘Let’
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics: ‘Let’ in Complex Constructions
• FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of ‘Let’

The verb ‘let’ is a versatile word with several meanings, but its core definition revolves around granting permission or allowing something to happen. It is classified as an irregular verb because its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the standard -ed ending rule. Understanding its various meanings and grammatical forms is essential for effective communication.

Classification and Function

‘Let’ can function as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object, or as an intransitive verb, not requiring a direct object. It can also be used in various idiomatic expressions, adding further complexity to its usage.

The verb “let” also functions as a causative verb, meaning that it causes an action to occur. This often involves allowing or permitting someone else to perform an action.

Contexts and Meanings

The verb ‘let’ can have several meanings depending on the context:

• To allow or permit: My parents let me go to the party.
• To rent out: The landlord lets apartments in this building.
• To allow to pass or go: Let the water drain completely.
• Used in idioms and expressions: Let go of the rope. Let me see.

Structural Breakdown

Understanding the structural patterns of ‘let’ involves recognizing its irregular verb status and how it functions in different sentence structures. This includes identifying the subject, verb, and object, and understanding how ‘let’ interacts with other verbs in complex sentences.

Basic Sentence Structure

The basic structure involving ‘let’ typically follows this pattern: Subject + Let + (Optional Direct Object) + (Optional Infinitive without ‘to’). For example, “I let him go” follows this pattern.

Causative Use

When ‘let’ is used as a causative verb, it often takes the form: Subject + Let + Indirect Object + Base Form of Verb. For instance, “She let her daughter watch TV” shows the subject (She) allowing the indirect object (her daughter) to perform an action (watch TV).

Forms of “Let”

The verb ‘let’ is an irregular verb, which means its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the typical ‘-ed’ ending. Mastering these forms is essential for correct usage.

Present Tense

The present tense form of ‘let’ is ‘let’ for all subjects except the third-person singular (he, she, it), which uses ‘lets’.

Past Tense

The past tense of ‘let’ is ‘let’. This is where many learners encounter difficulty, as they might incorrectly assume it should be ‘letted’.

Past Participle

The past participle of ‘let’ is also ‘let’. It’s used in perfect tenses (e.g., have let, had let) and passive voice constructions.

Present Participle

The present participle of ‘let’ is ‘letting’. It is used in continuous tenses (e.g., is letting, was letting).

Here is a table summarizing the forms of “let”:

Tense	Form	Example
Present Tense	Let (I, you, we, they)	I let him use my car.
Present Tense	Lets (He, she, it)	She lets me borrow her books.
Past Tense	Let	They let us in early.
Past Participle	Let	We have let them know the news.
Present Participle	Letting	He is letting the dog out.

Examples of ‘Let’ in Different Tenses

To fully understand the usage of ‘let’, it’s helpful to examine examples in different tenses and contexts. The following tables provide various examples to illustrate the correct usage of ‘let’ in present, past, and future tenses, as well as in different sentence structures.

Present Tense Examples

In the present tense, ‘let’ indicates a current permission or allowance. It’s important to remember the ‘lets’ form for the third-person singular.

Sentence	Explanation
I let my friend borrow my notes.	The speaker is currently allowing their friend to borrow their notes.
You let the cat out of the bag.	You are revealing a secret.
We let them use our backyard for their party.	We are giving them permission to use our backyard.
They let the children play in the park.	They are allowing the children to play in the park.
He lets his dog sleep on the bed.	He allows his dog to sleep on the bed (third person singular).
She lets her students use calculators during the exam.	She permits her students to use calculators.
It lets the light shine through.	It allows light to pass through.
I let her know about the change in plans.	I inform her of the change.
You let your feelings get the best of you.	You allowed your emotions to control you.
We let bygones be bygones.	We decide to forget past offenses.
They let the opportunity slip away.	They failed to take advantage of the opportunity.
He lets his anger control his actions.	His anger influences his behavior.
She lets nothing stand in her way.	She does not allow anything to hinder her.
It lets out a loud noise when it starts.	It emits a loud noise.
I let myself be convinced by her argument.	I allowed myself to be persuaded.
You let the team down with your performance.	You disappointed the team.
We let our guard down for a moment.	We became less cautious.
They let their imaginations run wild.	They allowed their imaginations to be unrestrained.
He lets his responsibilities pile up.	He allows his duties to accumulate.
She lets her creativity flow freely.	She allows her creative ideas to emerge.
It lets the user customize the settings.	It allows the user to change the settings.
I let the moment pass without saying anything.	I allowed the opportunity to go by.
You let your fears hold you back.	You allow your fears to prevent you from progressing.
We let our worries consume us.	We allowed our anxieties to overwhelm us.
They let their dreams inspire them.	They allow their aspirations to motivate them.

Past Tense Examples

The past tense of ‘let’ is simply ‘let’. This is crucial to remember to avoid the common mistake of using ‘letted’.

Sentence	Explanation
I let my friend borrow my car yesterday.	I permitted my friend to borrow my car in the past.
You let me know about the meeting last week.	You informed me about the meeting previously.
We let them stay at our house during their vacation.	We allowed them to stay at our house in the past.
They let the prisoner go free.	They released the prisoner.
He let his anger get the best of him.	He allowed his anger to control him in the past.
She let her guard down for a moment.	She became less cautious at a specific time in the past.
It let out a loud screech when I started it.	It emitted a loud screech in the past.
I let the opportunity pass without saying anything.	I didn’t speak up when I had the chance.
You let your fears hold you back from achieving your goals.	Your fears prevented you from achieving your goals in the past.
We let our worries consume us during the crisis.	We allowed anxieties to overwhelm us in the past.
They let their dreams inspire them to overcome obstacles.	Their dreams motivated them to overcome challenges in the past.
He let his responsibilities pile up until it became overwhelming.	He allowed his duties to accumulate until it was too much.
She let her creativity flow freely while painting.	She allowed her creative ideas to emerge during the painting process.
It let the user customize the settings to their preference.	It allowed the user to change the settings to their liking.
I let myself be convinced by his persuasive argument.	I allowed myself to be persuaded by his argument.
You let the team down with your lackluster performance.	You disappointed the team with your poor performance.
We let bygones be bygones and moved forward.	We decided to forget past offenses and continued.
They let the opportunity slip away due to hesitation.	They failed to take advantage of the opportunity because of hesitation.
He let his true feelings show despite his efforts to hide them.	He revealed his genuine emotions despite trying to conceal them.
She let her intuition guide her decisions in the project.	She allowed her instincts to inform her choices in the project.
It let the water drain completely before refilling.	It allowed the water to empty entirely before replenishing.
I let it be known that I disagreed with the proposal.	I made it clear that I did not agree with the proposal.
You let the situation escalate by not intervening sooner.	You allowed the situation to worsen by not getting involved earlier.
We let our imaginations run wild while brainstorming ideas.	We allowed our imaginations to be unrestrained while generating ideas.
They let the matter rest after reaching a compromise.	They stopped discussing the issue after reaching an agreement.

Future Tense Examples

To express the future, use “will let” or “going to let.”

Sentence	Explanation
I will let you know the results tomorrow.	I will inform you of the results in the future.
You are going to let me borrow your new book, right?	You are planning to permit me to borrow your new book.
We will let them use our beach house next summer.	We will allow them to use our beach house in the future.
They will let the public decide the winner of the contest.	They will allow the public to choose the winner.
He will let his children stay up late on weekends.	He will permit his children to stay up late.
She is going to let her hair grow long again.	She plans to allow her hair to grow long.
It will let you customize the settings to your liking.	It will allow you to change the settings.
I will let nothing stand in the way of my dreams.	I will not allow anything to hinder my aspirations.
You are going to let your worries fade away.	You plan to allow your anxieties to disappear.
We will let our imaginations soar to new heights.	We will allow our imaginations to be unrestrained.
They are going to let their creativity shine through their work.	They plan to allow their creative ideas to emerge.
He will let his actions speak louder than his words.	He will allow his deeds to be more impactful.
She is going to let her voice be heard on important issues.	She plans to express her opinions on significant matters.
It will let the user access all the features without restrictions.	It will allow the user to use all the functions.
I will let go of the past and embrace the future.	I will release myself from past experiences.
You are going to let go of your fears and take risks.	You plan to release yourself from anxieties.
We will let bygones be bygones and move forward together.	We will decide to forget past offenses and continue.
They are going to let their guard down and enjoy the moment.	They plan to become less cautious and enjoy the present.
He will let his true colors shine through.	He will allow his genuine personality to be revealed.
She is going to let her intuition guide her decisions.	She plans to allow her instincts to inform her choices.
It will let the system run smoothly without interruptions.	It will allow the system to operate without interference.
I will let the matter rest for now.	I will stop discussing the issue for the time being.
You are going to let the water boil before adding the pasta.	You plan to allow the water to reach a boiling point.
We will let the flowers bloom before cutting them.	We will allow the flowers to blossom.
They are going to let their children explore their interests.	They plan to allow their children to investigate their passions.

Usage Rules of ‘Let’

The correct usage of ‘let’ involves understanding its grammatical function and adhering to specific rules. These include recognizing its irregular verb status, using the correct tense forms, and understanding its role in causative constructions.

Irregular Verb Rule

Remember that ‘let’ is an irregular verb, so its past tense and past participle forms are ‘let,’ not ‘letted’.

Causative Constructions

When using ‘let’ in causative constructions, follow the pattern: Subject + Let + Indirect Object + Base Form of Verb (without ‘to’).

‘Let’ vs. ‘Allow’

While ‘let’ and ‘allow’ are often interchangeable, ‘allow’ is generally considered more formal. ‘Allow’ also often takes a ‘to-infinitive’, while ‘let’ takes the base form of the verb.

‘Let’s’ Contraction

The contraction ‘let’s’ means ‘let us’. It’s used to make suggestions or give commands that include the speaker.

For example, “Let’s go to the park.”

Common Mistakes with ‘Let’

One of the most common mistakes is using ‘letted’ as the past tense or past participle of ‘let.’ Another frequent error is confusing ‘let’ with ‘leave.’

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I letted him borrow my book.	I let him borrow my book.	‘Let’ is the correct past tense form.
She has letted me know.	She has let me know.	‘Let’ is the correct past participle form.
Let us to go.	Let us go. / Let’s go.	After ‘let,’ use the base form of the verb without ‘to’.
Leave me do it.	Let me do it.	‘Let’ is used to give permission, not ‘leave’.
I will leted you know.	I will let you know.	‘Let’ does not change in the future tense in this construction.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of ‘let’ with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘let’.

Exercise 1: Correct Tense

Choose the correct form of ‘let’ (let, lets, letting) to complete the following sentences:

Question	Answer
1. I always _____ my dog sleep inside during winter.	let
2. She _____ her daughter stay up late on her birthday.	lets
3. They are _____ the construction workers use their tools.	letting
4. Yesterday, I _____ him use my phone.	let
5. He usually _____ me drive his car.	lets
6. We are _____ the children play in the garden.	letting
7. Last year, they _____ us use their vacation home.	let
8. The teacher _____ the students work in groups.	lets
9. The company is _____ its employees work from home.	letting
10. I _____ her borrow my dress for the party.	let

Exercise 2: Error Correction

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences:

Question	Answer
1. She letted me use her notes.	She let me use her notes.
2. I have letted him know about the change.	I have let him know about the change.
3. They are leave us go to the movies.	They are letting us go to the movies.
4. He will letted me drive his car tomorrow.	He will let me drive his car tomorrow.
5. We should to let them join our team.	We should let them join our team.
6. She was letting the dog out when I arrived.	Correct (She was letting the dog out when I arrived.)
7. The manager has letted the employees leave early.	The manager has let the employees leave early.
8. I am going to letted her know the truth.	I am going to let her know the truth.
9. They letted the secret slip during the conversation.	They let the secret slip during the conversation.
10. He is not letted to play video games after school.	He is not allowed to play video games after school.

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences using ‘let’ in the appropriate tense and form:

Question	Answer
1. If you finish your homework, I will _____ you watch TV.	let
2. My parents never _____ me stay out late when I was a teenager.	let
3. The teacher is _____ the students use their notes during the quiz.	letting
4. Please _____ me know if you need any help.	let
5. He always _____ his friends borrow his tools.	lets
6. We _____ them use our backyard for their party last summer.	let
7. I won’t _____ anyone treat you disrespectfully.	let
8. She is _____ her creativity guide her in this project.	letting
9. Yesterday, they _____ the birds out of their cages.	let
10. The software _____ users customize their profiles.	lets

Advanced Topics: ‘Let’ in Complex Constructions

For advanced learners, understanding ‘let’ in more complex grammatical constructions is essential. This includes its use in subordinate clauses, conditional sentences, and idiomatic expressions.

‘Let’ in Subordinate Clauses

‘Let’ can appear in subordinate clauses, often expressing conditions or reasons. For example: “If they let us in, we will start the presentation.”

‘Let’ in Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences often use ‘let’ to express hypothetical permissions or allowances. For example: “If I were the boss, I would let everyone have Fridays off.”

Idiomatic Expressions with ‘Let’

‘Let’ appears in numerous idiomatic expressions, such as:

• Let someone off the hook: To release someone from a responsibility or punishment.
• Let your hair down: To relax and enjoy yourself.
• Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret.
• Let sleeping dogs lie: To avoid stirring up trouble.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the verb ‘let’:

1. Why is the past tense of ‘let’ not ‘letted’?

   ‘Let’ is an irregular verb, and irregular verbs do not follow the standard ‘-ed’ ending rule for forming the past tense. The past tense and past participle of ‘let’ are both ‘let’. This is simply a characteristic of this particular verb that must be memorized.

2. What is the difference between ‘let’ and ‘allow’?

   While ‘let’ and ‘allow’ both mean to permit, ‘allow’ is generally more formal. Additionally, ‘allow’ typically requires a ‘to-infinitive’ (e.g., allow someone to do something), while ‘let’ requires the base form of the verb (e.g., let someone do something).

3. How do I use ‘let’s’ correctly?

   ‘Let’s’ is a contraction of ‘let us’ and is used to make suggestions or give commands that include the speaker. For example, “Let’s go for a walk” means “Let us go for a walk.”

4. Can ‘let’ be used in the passive voice?

   Yes, ‘let’ can be used in the passive voice, but it’s less common. For example: “They were let go from their jobs.” A more common phrasing would be “They were allowed to leave their jobs.”

5. How do I use ‘let’ in a causative sentence?

   In a causative sentence, ‘let’ follows the pattern: Subject + Let + Indirect Object + Base Form of Verb. For example, “She let her children play outside.”

6. What are some common idioms that use ‘let’?

   Some common idioms include: ‘Let someone off the hook,’ ‘Let your hair down,’ ‘Let the cat out of the bag,’ and ‘Let sleeping dogs lie.’ These idioms have specific meanings that differ from the literal definition of ‘let’.

7. Is ‘let’ ever used as a noun?

   Yes, ‘let’ can be used as a noun, particularly in sports, referring to an obstruction of the ball or a serve that must be replayed. For example, “The serve was a let, so it must be replayed.”

8. How do I remember that the past tense of ‘let’ is ‘let’?

   One helpful mnemonic is to associate ‘let’ with other irregular verbs that have the same form in the present and past tense, such as ‘hit’ or ‘cut’. Repeated practice and exposure to correct usage will also reinforce the correct form.

9. How can I improve my usage of ‘let’ in my writing?

   Pay close attention to examples of ‘let’ in well-written texts. Practice writing sentences using ‘let’ in different tenses and contexts. Ask a native speaker or English teacher to review your writing and provide feedback.

10. Is there a difference in meaning between “let me know” and “inform me”?

    While both phrases request information, “let me know” is more informal and conversational. “Inform me” is more formal and suitable for professional or official contexts. The choice depends on the tone and audience of your communication.

Conclusion

Mastering the verb ‘let’ involves understanding its irregular forms, various meanings, and specific usage rules. The most important takeaway is that the past tense and past participle of ‘let’ are both ‘let,’ not ‘letted.’ By studying examples, practicing exercises, and avoiding common mistakes, you can confidently use ‘let’ in your writing and speech.

Remember to pay attention to context and consider the level of formality required when choosing between ‘let’ and ‘allow’.

Consistent practice and exposure to the English language will further solidify your understanding of ‘let’ and other irregular verbs. Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from native speakers or language teachers to refine your skills and ensure accuracy.

With dedicated effort, you can achieve fluency and communicate effectively in English.