let's play

USAGE SUMMARY

'Let's play' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to suggest an activity or to invite someone to take part in a game. For example, you might say, "Let's play tennis this weekend!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's play!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Finally, let's play ball.

The New York Times

"So let's play ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Let's play multiple choice".

The New Yorker

Enough doctors, let's play".

The New York Times - Sports

"Let's play," Gordon said.

The New Yorker

Let's play a game.

The Guardian

Let's play Fantasy Tolstoy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Fuck art, let's play.

The Guardian - Tech

Let's play it differently.

The Guardian - Sport

"Let's play fucking bingo".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let's play" to suggest initiating an activity or game with others, fostering a collaborative and engaging atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid writing "lets play" without the apostrophe. The correct form, "let's play", is a contraction of "let us play".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let's play" serves as an hortative, expressing a suggestion or invitation to engage in an activity. It functions to encourage collective participation, evident in Ludwig's examples across news, academia, and general discourse. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

25%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "let's play" is a common and grammatically sound way to propose an activity, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academic discussions, and everyday conversations, making it highly versatile. While primarily neutral to informal in tone, its consistent application and clear purpose contribute to its effectiveness in fostering engagement and collaboration. Remember to use the apostrophe correctly and consider the context to ensure the most appropriate tone. Alternatives such as "shall we play" or "how about a game" can provide subtle variations depending on the desired level of formality or directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shall we play

Involves a slightly more formal tone compared to the original phrase.

care to play

Suggests a polite invitation, implying a level of consideration.

want to play

Direct and casual, suitable for informal settings.

how about a game

Proposes an activity in a more open-ended manner.

game on

An enthusiastic and concise way to initiate a game.

ready to play

Asks if someone is prepared to start a game or activity.

let's have a game

Similar in meaning but slightly more elaborate in structure.

fancy a game

Common in British English, indicating an interest in playing.

shall we start

Focuses on beginning an activity, not specifically a game.

who's in for a game

Invites multiple participants to join a game or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "let's play" in a sentence?

"Let's play" is used to suggest an activity or game, for example: "Let's play chess" or "Let's play outside".

What are some alternatives to saying "let's play"?

You can use phrases like "shall we play", "want to play", or "how about a game" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lets play" instead of "let's play"?

No, "lets play" is incorrect. The correct form is "let's play", which is a contraction of "let us play".

What's the difference between "let's play" and "let us play"?

"Let's play" is a more informal and commonly used contraction of "let us play". While both are grammatically correct, "let's play" is generally preferred in everyday conversation.