let's not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let's not" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as an expression to make a suggestion not to do something. Example sentence: Let's not forget to bring umbrellas in case it rains.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Let's not forget them.

The New York Times

"Let's not exaggerate.

The New York Times

"Let's not kid anybody.

The New York Times

"Let's not talk politics".

The New York Times

Let's not oversell this.

The New York Times - Magazine

Let's not complicate things".

Independent

"Let's not get down.

The New York Times

Or, actually, let's not.

The New York Times

Let's not go there.

The New York Times

"Let's not be mistaken".

The New York Times

Let's not romanticize this.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let's not" to gently suggest avoiding an action or topic, especially when aiming for collaboration or agreement.

Common error

While "let's not" is versatile, excessive use in formal writing can sound overly casual. Consider using more formal alternatives like "it would be best to avoid" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let's not" functions as a hortative, expressing a suggestion or urging against a particular action. As shown in Ludwig, it's often used to advise caution or avoidance in a collaborative manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "let's not" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a suggestion or urge against a particular action. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is hortative, and it's used to discourage unwanted actions or thoughts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives when necessary. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in news, media, and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we shouldn't

Suggests avoiding an action, similar to "let's not", but with a slightly less direct tone.

maybe we should avoid

Suggests steering clear of something.

it's best not to

Emphasizes the advisability of avoiding something.

better we don't

A more concise and direct way of suggesting avoidance.

I suggest we don't

Makes the suggestion more personal.

we ought not to

A more formal way of saying "we shouldn't".

we would do well to avoid

Highlights the potential benefits of avoidance.

how about we don't

Presents the avoidance of an action as a suggestion.

it might be wise to not

Focuses on the wisdom of avoiding something.

perhaps we could refrain from

A very formal and polite way of suggesting avoidance.

FAQs

How can I use "let's not" in a sentence?

"Let's not" is used to make a suggestion to avoid doing something. For example, "Let's not forget to bring umbrellas" or "Let's not get discouraged by this setback".

What are some alternatives to "let's not"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "we shouldn't", "it's best not to", or "maybe we should avoid".

When is it appropriate to use "let's not"?

"Let's not" is appropriate in many situations where you want to gently suggest avoiding an action or topic. It's common in both spoken and written English, though less formal than some alternatives.

Is "let's not" formal or informal?

"Let's not" is generally considered informal to neutral. While widely used, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives such as "it would be advisable not to".