Phrasal verbs can be tricky to master, but they are an essential part of the English language. With “let” being such a versatile verb, it’s important to understand its various phrasal verb forms to communicate effectively in English. In this article, we’ll cover the most commonly used phrasal verbs with “let”, including “let down”, “let in”, and “let off”.
Common Phrasal Verbs with Let
In this section, we will cover some of the most common phrasal verbs with the word “let”. These phrasal verbs are essential to learn if you want to improve your English communication skills. Let’s dive in!
1. Let in
- Meaning: To let someone in means to allow them to enter a place or a building
- Example: Can you let me in? I forgot my key.
2. Let on
- Meaning: Make clear, evince
- Example: You don’t want to let on how rich you really are.
3. Let off
- Meaning: To let someone off means to excuse them from punishment or to release them from an obligation
- Example: The teacher let the students off early because of the snowstorm.
4. Let down
- Meaning: To let someone down means to disappoint them or fail to meet their expectations
- Example: I was counting on my friend to help me move, but he let me down at the last minute.
5. Let out
- Meaning: To let something out means to release it or to allow it to leave a place
- Example: The cat let out a loud meow when I stepped on its tail.
6. Let down
- Meaning: Lengthen
- Example: My father is a tailor, so he can let my pants down.
7. Let up
- Meaning: To let up means to decrease in intensity or to stop.
- For example: The rain finally let up after three days of non-stop downpour.
Practical Exercises with Answers
In order to solidify your understanding of phrasal verbs with “let,” we have provided some practical exercises for you to practice. These exercises will help you to learn how to use phrasal verbs with “let” correctly in different contexts.
Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verbs with “let” from the given options:
- I am going to __________ my car to my brother for the weekend.
- a) let down
- b) let up
- c) let out
- d) let off
- The teacher decided to __________ the students early because of the snowstorm.
- a) let down
- b) let up
- c) let out
- d) let off
- She didn’t __________ that she knew the answer to the question.
- a) let on
- b) let off
- c) let by
- d) let down
- The boss decided to __________ the employee because of his poor performance.
- a) let by
- b) let down
- c) let out
- d) let go
Answers: 1) d, 2) b, 3) a, 4) d
Match the Phrases
Match the phrasal verbs with “let” with their meanings:
- Let down
- a) To disappoint someone
- Let out
- b) To reveal a secret
- Let off
- c) To allow someone to leave or escape punishment
- Let on
- d) To make a loud noise
- Let go
- e) To stop holding onto something or someone
Answers: 1) a, 2) b, 3) c, 4) b, 5) e
Create Your Own Sentences
Create your own sentences using the phrasal verbs with “let” that you have learned. Try to use them in different contexts.
Example:
- I am going to let my sister borrow my dress for the party tonight.
- The teacher decided to let us out early because it was a beautiful day outside.
Remember to use the correct phrasal verb with “let” in the right context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common phrasal verbs with ‘let’ and their meanings?
Some common phrasal verbs with ‘let’ are ‘let down’, ‘let in’, ‘let out’, and ‘let up’. ‘Let down’ means to disappoint someone, ‘let in’ means to allow someone to enter, ‘let out’ means to release or make something known, and ‘let up’ means to decrease in intensity or effort.
What is the difference between ‘let out’ and ‘let down’?
‘Let out’ means to release or make something known, while ‘let down’ means to disappoint someone. For example, “She let out a scream when she saw the spider” and “I let down my friends by not showing up to the party”.
How can I use ‘let off’ in a sentence?
‘Let off’ means to excuse someone from punishment or to release something, like a gas or steam. For example, “The teacher let me off the hook for not doing my homework” and “The pressure cooker let off steam”.
What are some other common phrasal verbs in English?
Some other common phrasal verbs in English are ‘get along’, ‘put up with’, ‘look up to’, ‘run into’, and ‘come across’. ‘Get along’ means to have a good relationship with someone, ‘put up with’ means to tolerate something, ‘look up to’ means to admire someone, ‘run into’ means to meet someone unexpectedly, and ‘come across’ means to find something by chance.
How do I use ‘put up with’ in a sentence?
‘Put up with’ means to tolerate something that is unpleasant or difficult. For example, “I can’t put up with his constant complaining anymore”.
What are some tips for learning phrasal verbs in English?
One tip for learning phrasal verbs is to practice using them in context. It can also be helpful to break down the phrasal verb into its separate parts and understand the meaning of each part. Additionally, reading and listening to English materials can help you become more familiar with common phrasal verbs in use.
- Linking Verbs: Definition, Form, Usage and Examples - August 30, 2024
- Compound Adjectives: Definition, Types and Examples - August 30, 2024
- Interrogative Adjectives: Definition, Usage, and Examples - August 29, 2024