Leave vs Let: What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
Leave" means to depart or to abandon, while "let" is used in the sense of allowing or permitting.
Memory Tip: leave = exit or abandon, let = allow or permit
leave has long /iː/ sound, let has short /ɛ/ sound
leave /liːv/
verbTo go away from a place.
Example:
I leave the house at 8 o'clock every morning to go to school.
Common patterns:
leave home
leave school
leave
noun"Leave" refers to the permission granted to someone to be absent from work or duty for a specified period of time.
Example:
I leave the house at 8 o'clock every morning to go to school.
Common patterns:
annual leave
sick leave
leave of absence
let /lɛt/
verbLet means to allow someone to do something.
Example:
Please let me help you with your homework.
Common patterns:
let go
let in
let out
Common Mistakes
Please leave me do my homework in peace.
Please let me do my homework in peace.
The word 'let' is used to mean allowing or permitting someone to do something.
I will let the office at 5 PM.
I will leave the office at 5 PM.
The word 'leave' is used to mean departing from a place.
Quick Practice
0/3 correct1. I ____ the house at 8 o'clock every morning to go to school.
2. I ____ the house at 8 o'clock every morning to go to school.
3. Please ____ me help you with your homework.
Other Confusing Words
Never confuse leave / let again
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