Everything Language and Grammar

Archive for May 16th, 2008

Either Leave It Alone or Let It Go

Posted by languageandgrammar on May 16, 2008

Do not mistakenly use let for leave. This leads to another common grammar error in English. Of course, as is true for most words, there are other and nuanced meanings (I’m just going to stick to what is needed for our purposes), but generally, to let means to allow and is often used with the infinitive of a verb. To leave means to depart or to allow to remain and often takes the –ing form of the verb after it.

 

  • Incorrect: Let me alone.
  • Correct: Leave me alone.
  • Incorrect: Let it sitting on the stove.
  • Correct: Leave it sitting on the stove.
  • Incorrect: Leave it sit on the stove.
  • Correct: Let it sit on the stove.
  • Incorrect: Leave it be.
  • Correct: Let it be (just like the old Beatles song).

Sherry

 

Paul’s book–Literally, the Best Language Book Ever;

Sherry’s Grammar List

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