did not let

USAGE SUMMARY

'did not let' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express that something was not allowed, or that someone or something was prevented from doing something. Example: He did not let his daughter go out after dark.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MI5 did not let go.

The Guardian

Harman did not let up.

The Guardian

We did not let up.

The New York Times

Wales did not let them.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. McCain did not let up.

The New York Times

Mr. Jindal did not let up.

The New York Times

My father did not let her.

The New York Times

But Cole did not let it lie.

The New York Times - Sports

Obama did not let Todd finish.

The New Yorker

Vishneva, however, did not let you forget.

The New Yorker

But the screams did not let up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did not let" to clearly express that someone or something was prevented from doing something or was not allowed to happen. It adds a straightforward tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses with "did not let". Ensure the verb following "let" is in its base form. For example, use "did not let him go" instead of "did not let him to go".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not let" functions as a negative transitive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject actively prevented someone or something from performing an action or experiencing a state. Ludwig confirms the correctness and widespread use of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not let" is a versatile and common way to express prevention or refusal. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. When using this phrase, remember to follow it with the base form of the verb. Consider alternatives like "prevented from" or "refused to allow" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevented from

Focuses on the act of stopping something from happening.

refused to allow

Highlights a deliberate decision not to permit something.

did not permit

Emphasizes a formal denial of permission.

would not allow

Indicates a firm unwillingness to let something occur.

did not enable

Focuses on the lack of provision or resources to facilitate something.

kept from

Emphasizes the action of hindering or restraining.

blocked from

Suggests an obstruction or barrier preventing access or progress.

denied the opportunity

Highlights the withholding of a chance or possibility.

did not give leave

Implies a lack of formal authorization or consent.

vetoed the possibility

Emphasizes a strong rejection of a potential action or event.

FAQs

How can I use "did not let" in a sentence?

You can use "did not let" to indicate that someone was prevented from doing something. For example, "The teacher did not let the students leave early."

What are some alternatives to saying "did not let"?

Alternatives include phrases like "prevented from", "refused to allow", or "did not permit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "did not let him to go" or "did not let him go"?

"Did not let him go" is correct. The verb following "let" should be in its base form, without "to". The construction "did not let him to go" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "did not let" and "allowed"?

"Did not let" indicates prevention, while "allowed" implies permission. They are opposites. For example, "He did not let her leave" means he prevented her from leaving, whereas "He allowed her to leave" means he gave her permission to leave.