Irregular verb
The verb to let
let → let → let
A2Meaning: to allow someone to do something; to allow something to happen · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 50 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they let·he/she/it lets - Past Simple:
let(the same as the base form!) - Past participle:
let(all three forms are the same!) - -ing form:
letting(with double t)
Conjugation of the verb to let
Present Simple
| I | let |
| You | let |
| He / She / It | lets |
| We | let |
| You (pl.) | let |
| They | let |
Past Simple
| I | let |
| You | let |
| He / She / It | let |
| We | let |
| You (pl.) | let |
| They | let |
All the forms of the verb to let
Present Simple
Full pagelet / lets
“My parents let me go to the party.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are letting
“I am letting the dog out right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagelet
“She let me borrow her book.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were letting
“I was letting the dog out when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has let
“I have already let the dog out.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad let
“She had already let the dog out when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill let
“I will let the dog out tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to let
“I'm going to let the dog out this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould let
“I would let the dog out if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to let
1. Allowing someone to do something
Let + person + base form of the verb (no to).
- Let me go.
- Let her speak.
2. Making a suggestion (Let's)
Let's = let us, the short form you use to suggest doing something together.
- Let's go!
- Let's eat pizza.
3. Common expressions
Let me know means tell me. Let it be means don't try to change it. Let go of means to stop holding something.
- let me know
- let it be
- let go of
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Letted ❌
Let does not change in the past: let → let → let. Letted does not exist. But in the Present Simple, add -s after he, she or it: She lets me use her phone.
2. Let me to go ❌
After let + person, use the base form with no to: Let me go ✓, never Let me to go ✗.
Going further
Conjugating to let is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of let?+
The Past Simple of let is let: it does not change. The past participle is also let. All three forms are the same: let → let → let.
Is it let me go or let me to go?+
Use let + person + the base form of the verb, with no to. Let me go is correct. Let me to go is a common mistake.
What does let's mean?+
Let's is the short form of let us. Use it to suggest doing something together: Let's go to the park! Let's eat pizza tonight. It is very common for suggestions.
What is the difference between let and leave?+
Let means to allow: Let me speak. Leave means to go away, or to put something somewhere and go: I left my bag at school. Leave me alone means go away and don't bother me.
Why is letting spelt with double t?+
Let is a short verb that ends in one vowel + one consonant. So you double the last consonant before -ing: let → letting. It is the same with run → running and sit → sitting.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/let
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.