has been let

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been let' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression used to indicate that something has been allowed to happen or take place. For example, "The tenant has been let into the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The air has been let out of its tires.

The New York Times

Dave Lenihan has been let go... there is enough hate.

The Guardian

"His attitude has been, 'Let me win and then we'll see,' " he said.

The New York Times

I'm surprised no action has been taken against him, he has been let off lightly.

Independent

Now, perhaps, too much light has been let in on the magic.

The Economist

But at times he has been let down by his putter.

The New York Times - Sports

(Fagan, Jr., meanwhile, has been let go by the police force).

The New Yorker

And Daniel, as fantastic as your recent work has been: let yourself breathe a little.

The New York Times - Magazine

Over at Camp Timber Tops, a counselor who wasn't the right fit has been let go.

The New York Times

A woman has been let off a parking ticket because of a missing comma.

Independent

But readers wanting serious insights will feel she has been let down by her editors.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been let" to describe a situation where something is intentionally allowed to occur, such as "The information has been let out to the public".

Common error

Avoid using "has been let" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The prisoner has been let go by the judge", consider "The judge let the prisoner go".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been let" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has experienced an action performed by someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been let" is a versatile phrase frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating that someone or something has been permitted to leave, released from a duty, or that information has been disclosed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across a range of situations. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity, and consider whether an active voice construction might be more direct. Alternatives like "has been allowed" or "has been released" can provide slightly different nuances depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been permitted

Indicates formal allowance or authorization.

has been allowed

Implies granting permission for something to happen.

has been authorized

Indicates that something has been officially approved.

has been released

Suggests being freed from confinement or obligation.

has been sanctioned

Implies formal approval or permission.

has been discharged

Refers to formal release from a duty or job.

has been dismissed

Indicates termination of employment or service.

has been excused

Implies being relieved of a responsibility or task.

was given the go-ahead

Suggests that permission or approval has been granted, often informally.

has been given leave

Suggests receiving permission to be absent.

FAQs

How can I use "has been let" in a sentence?

"Has been let" is often used to describe someone being released or something being allowed. Examples include: "The prisoner "has been let" out of jail", or "The secret "has been let" slip".

What's the difference between "has been let" and "has been allowed"?

"Has been let" often implies a more passive allowance or release, while "has been allowed" suggests active permission. For instance, "The student "has been allowed" extra time" indicates a deliberate decision, whereas "The information "has been let" out unintentionally" implies it happened without direct permission.

What can I say instead of "has been let"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has been permitted", "has been released", or "has been discharged". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize permission, freedom, or termination.

When is it inappropriate to use "has been let"?

Avoid using "has been let" in contexts where an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The dog "has been let out" by Mary", it's better to say "Mary let the dog out".