let's say

USAGE SUMMARY

"let's say" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to introduce a hypothetical example (e.g. "Let's say that the world decided to switch to a vegan-only diet").

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's say it's squared, let's say it's easy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So let's say it's.55.55

Yale University

Let's say it's 10 things.

The New York Times - Magazine

Let's say it's an ace.

The New York Times

But let's say it's true.

The New York Times

Let's say it's fear.

HuffPost

Let's say it's about $200.

WikiHow

Let's say it's a 5.

WikiHow

It's 5%, let's say.

Yale University

Let's say again.

Yale University

c_k d_n, let's say.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let's say" to introduce a simplified scenario or example to make a complex idea easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "let's say" in formal contexts. Instead, vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "suppose" or "assume" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

"Let's say" functions as a discourse marker, specifically used to introduce a hypothetical scenario or example. Ludwig examples show its use in simplifying complex ideas and prompting consideration of alternatives. It is a common way to frame a hypothetical situation to facilitate understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "let's say" is a versatile phrase used to introduce hypothetical scenarios or examples across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. While prevalent in news, academic, and wiki sources, it maintains a generally neutral to informal register. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "suppose" or "for example", especially in formal writing. Remember to leverage "let's say" to simplify complex ideas and facilitate understanding, but be mindful of maintaining an appropriate tone for your intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suppose

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word suggesting a hypothesis.

just suppose

Adds slight emphasis to the hypothetical nature.

assume

Directly proposes an assumption to be considered.

consider

Suggests a specific possibility for deliberation.

if we assume

More explicit about the act of assuming something.

for the sake of argument

More formal and emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the statement.

hypothetically speaking

Clearly marks the statement as a thought experiment.

imagine

Invites the listener or reader to create a mental picture of the scenario.

pretend

Emphasizes the fictional or unreal aspect of the situation.

for example

Introduces an instance to illustrate a point.

FAQs

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

You can use "let's say" to introduce a hypothetical situation or example, like "Let's say it's raining, what would you do?"

What are some alternatives to "let's say"?

Some alternatives include "suppose", "assume", or "for example", depending on the context.

Is "let's say" formal or informal?

"Let's say" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. For more formal contexts, consider using "suppose" or "assume".

Can "let's say" be used in academic writing?

While "let's say" can be used in academic writing to illustrate a point, it should be used sparingly. Consider using more formal alternatives like "for the sake of argument" or "assume" to maintain a professional tone.