let alone mention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let alone mention" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize that if something is not true or possible, then something else even less likely is also not true or possible. Example: "He can't finish a simple task, let alone mention the complex details." Alternative expressions include "much less say" and "not to mention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sadly the ambassador did not focus, let alone mention, that his country's actions left these people stateless without any rights or protection.

Huffington Post

OO Over-Consumption, Climate Change Threaten Food Security, Water Supply: United Nations - but if UN studies do not acknowledge let alone mention overpopulation, these problems will not go away.

Huffington Post

In those which do touch on the subject, a lot of gentle euphemisms are employed in place of an honest consideration of euthanasia, non-medical tactics to cope with non-life threatening issues, the potential for shifting our perceptions of human life - let alone mention of the best wee-wee pads.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Already, posting pictures of alcohol fuelled parties, let alone mentioning drug use or other intimate matters, is causing a growing number of job applicants to fail the "reference test" as employers trawl Facebook and MySpace for clues about the character and behaviour of potential employees.More optimistically, the Net Geners are much more positive than their predecessors about their family.

The Economist

Published in 1966, this isn't simply a prequel but a deeply political novel in its own right, in which names echo with a traumatic history that can barely be remembered, let alone mentioned: a town called Massacre, a boy called Disastrous, and Antoinette herself, who is cruelly stripped of her illusions by a husband who insists on calling her Bertha.

The Guardian - Books

"Does this really merit the front page, let alone a mention in the newspaper at all?" she asked, suggesting that The Times should not devote precious resources to overexposed celebrities.

The New York Times

She displays a marked disinclination to mention, let alone engage, differing interpretations of key events in Coolidge's career.

The New York Times - Books

Maps are essentially unmoored, especially since library catalogues fail even to mention, let alone describe, the maps contained in their books.

The New Yorker

"End This Depression Now!" is full of interesting and relevant observations, but don't expect its author to mention, let alone appreciate, a non-Keynesian explanation for any of them.

The New York Times

Anyone who can survive the vicissitudes of show business, let alone Broadway, not to mention the changing face of Times Square, by keeping up the standards in a moodily lit joint with a welcoming, down-to-earth air, is worth a note of praise.

The New Yorker

For while proudly bragging of helping cause the invasion, he does not even mention let alone acknowledge responsibility for the civilian suffering to which it led.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let alone mention" to emphasize a contrast between two related ideas, where the second is even less likely or appropriate than the first. For instance, "He couldn't solve the simple equation, let alone mention the complex ones".

Common error

Avoid using "let alone mention" when the two elements being compared are not logically connected or when the second element isn't clearly less likely than the first. Ensure a clear sense of escalation or contrast is present; otherwise, the phrase can sound awkward or confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let alone mention" functions as a conjunction, connecting two clauses while emphasizing the greater improbability or unsuitability of the second. It serves to highlight a contrast where the second element is even less likely or appropriate than the first, reinforcing a sense of comparative improbability. Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "let alone mention" is a grammatically sound and useful conjunction to indicate that if one thing is unlikely, another related thing is even less so. Ludwig AI validates the correct usage of this expression. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it serves to emphasize a point and highlight improbability. Remember to use it when you want to underscore the unlikelihood of something compared to something already unlikely. Consider alternatives like "much less mention" or "never mind mentioning" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much less mention

Replaces "let alone" with "much less", maintaining the same structure and meaning to indicate something is even less likely.

forget about mentioning

Emphasizes the unlikelihood of mentioning something by using "forget about", indicating it's not even worth considering.

never mind mentioning

Substitutes "let alone" with "never mind", which conveys a stronger sense of disregard or dismissal.

let alone bring up

Replaces "mention" with "bring up", implying a more active or deliberate act of introducing a topic.

not to even think of mentioning

Uses a more emphatic phrasing to highlight the extreme unlikelihood of mentioning something.

to say nothing of mentioning

Uses a more elaborate phrase to introduce an additional point that is even more noteworthy or improbable.

let alone discuss

Replaces "mention" with "discuss", which suggests a more in-depth examination of the topic.

not to mention

Shifts the emphasis to adding an additional item or point, often implying it's even more significant than what was previously stated.

let alone consider

Replaces "mention" with "consider", implying that even thinking about the topic is unlikely.

without even mentioning

Focuses on the omission of a mention, highlighting its unlikelihood or irrelevance.

FAQs

How can I use "let alone mention" in a sentence?

Use "let alone mention" to emphasize that if one thing is unlikely or impossible, another related thing is even more so. For example, "He couldn't afford the bus fare, "let alone mention" a plane ticket".

What's the difference between "let alone mention" and "not to mention"?

"Let alone mention" emphasizes that something is even less likely than something already deemed unlikely. "Not to mention" adds an additional item or point, often implying it's significant, but doesn't necessarily imply the same level of improbability. For example, "He forgot his wallet, "not to mention" his keys".

What can I say instead of "let alone mention"?

Alternatives include "much less mention", "never mind mentioning", or "to say nothing of mentioning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "let alone" without "mention"?

Yes, "let alone" can be used on its own to mean "much less" or "not to mention". For example, "He can't cook, "let alone" bake a cake". Adding "mention" simply makes the context more explicit in some cases.