let alone with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase ‘let alone with’ is not correct and should not be used in written English.
The phrase you may be looking for is ‘let alone’. For example, ‘I can’t pay the rent, let alone buy groceries.’.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Let alone with me".

The New York Times - Books

Let alone with art.

The Guardian - Film

Let alone with one's friends and family.

University of California, Berkeley

Let alone with something that is used as a medication.

The Guardian

Just being on stage would be quite a scary thing, let alone with no clothes on.

Independent

It will be unable to be honest with itself, let alone with anyone else.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're quite tribal, we're competitive within Yorkshire, let alone with the rest of the country.

The Guardian

Such a proposal is unlikely to find favour with Virgin, let alone with Euston's commuters.

The Guardian

Berengaria barely spent any time with her husband, let alone with Saladin.

The Guardian - Film

Christ should surely be no lion (let alone with the orotund voice of Liam Neeson).

The Guardian - Books

I could eat this on its own, let alone with cheese.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to express something is even less likely than something already mentioned, use the phrase "let alone". The addition of 'with' is grammatically incorrect.

Common error

A common mistake is adding 'with' to "let alone". Remember that "let alone" already serves to indicate something is even less likely. Avoid unnecessary prepositions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let alone with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is to express that something is even less likely or possible than something already mentioned. However, the correct form to convey this meaning is simply "let alone". Ludwig AI points out the grammatical incorrectness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

24%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "let alone with" appears frequently in various sources, including reputable news outlets, it is considered grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase to use is "let alone", which effectively conveys the meaning of "not to mention" or "much less". As Ludwig AI indicates, the addition of 'with' is unnecessary and violates standard English grammar. Therefore, writers should avoid using "let alone with" and opt for the grammatically sound alternative, "let alone", to maintain clarity and correctness in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let alone

Indicates that something is even less likely or possible than something already mentioned. It is grammatically correct.

much less

Highlights the greater improbability of the second element compared to the first. This alternative shares the core meaning of impossibility.

still less

Similar to "much less", emphasizing the lower probability or possibility of the subsequent item.

not to mention

Emphasizes adding another element, often surprising or significant, to what has already been stated. Shifts the focus from impossibility to addition.

even less

Implies a lower degree or amount than what was previously mentioned. Slightly broader in application than the original phrase.

not to speak of

Similar to "not to mention", but often used for more significant or impactful additions.

to say nothing of

Introduces an additional point that is so obvious or significant it hardly needs mentioning. More emphatic than the original phrase.

never mind

Often used to dismiss something as unimportant, rather than emphasizing impossibility. Can be more conversational.

leaving aside

Shifts the focus to setting something aside for consideration, rather than emphasizing impossibility.

without considering

Similar to "leaving aside", highlighting the act of not taking something into account.

FAQs

Is "let alone with" grammatically correct?

No, "let alone with" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "let alone", which means "not to mention" or "and certainly not".

What does "let alone" mean?

"Let alone" means "not to mention" or "and certainly not". It's used to emphasize that something is even more unlikely or impossible than something already mentioned.

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

You can use "let alone" to indicate that something is even less likely than something already stated. For example, "I can't afford a car, let alone a yacht."

What are some alternatives to "let alone"?

Some alternatives to "let alone" are "not to mention", "much less", or "still less", depending on the context.