let him catch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let him catch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are allowing or permitting someone to catch something, whether it be a physical object or an opportunity. Example: "If he wants to prove himself, let him catch the ball during practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"And I let him catch me".

The New York Times

I think he let him catch it".

The New York Times - Sports

I can't let him catch me off guard.

The New Yorker

I slowed down to let him catch up.

The New York Times - Travel

"I can't let him catch it where he wants it.

The New York Times - Sports

"Years from now, I'll tell people I let him catch it," Bouskila said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The TV outside his study lets him catch up on the news or flick through the headlines on Ceefax.

The Guardian

At least once, though — at his most endearing — she lets him catch her in flagrante with a romantic platitude: Flying to Toulouse.

The New Yorker

And the memorial lets him catch his breath from his rapidly rotating shifts throughout the historical district — 30 minutes at the Liberty Bell, then tours of Independence Hall, then an hour at the Second Bank of the United States — all the while fielding questions from an unending stream of schoolchildren.

The New York Times

Lo Duca missed five games but successfully lobbied Randolph into letting him catch Tom Glavine's 300th victory in Chicago on Aug. 5. BELATED CELEBRATION Tom Glavine was honored for his 300th victory during a ceremony before the Mets played the Marlins yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

Take him out to a park or to your yard, if you have enough room, and spend at least 15 minutes tossing the Frisbee to your dog, letting him catch it in his mouth, and waiting for him to bring it back to you.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let him catch" when you want to convey permission or allowance for someone to catch something. It can apply to physical objects, opportunities, or even a condition, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "let him catch" when you mean to help or assist someone actively. The phrase implies permission, not assistance. For active help, use phrases like "help him catch" or "assist him in catching".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let him catch" functions as a directive or permissive expression. It grants permission or allowance for a specific action (catching) to be performed by the subject (him). Ludwig provides examples showing its versatility in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Sports

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "let him catch" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that grants permission or allowance for someone to catch something. As Ludwig confirms, it appears in various contexts, from News & Media to Wiki articles. The phrase's neutral register makes it versatile, while related phrases such as "allow him to grab" and "permit him to seize" offer similar but nuanced meanings. When using this phrase, remember that it implies permission, not active assistance. Overall, the phrase is well-established and useful in a range of communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow him to capture

Focuses on the permission aspect of capturing something.

allow him to grab

Focuses on the permission aspect of grabbing something.

let him snag

More informal, emphasizing catching something quickly or unexpectedly.

let him secure

More informal, emphasizing securing something.

permit him to seize

Highlights the formal allowance of seizing an opportunity.

authorize him to catch

Emphasizes the formal granting of authority.

permit him to get

Highlights the formal allowance of getting something.

enable him to intercept

Emphasizes the act of making it possible for someone to intercept something.

enable him to obtain

Emphasizes the act of making it possible for someone to obtain something.

give him leave to catch

Formal phrasing emphasizing granting permission.

FAQs

How can I use "let him catch" in a sentence?

The phrase "let him catch" is used to give permission or allow someone to catch something. For example, "If he wants to improve, let him catch the difficult passes during practice."

What are some alternatives to saying "let him catch"?

You can use alternatives like "allow him to catch", "permit him to catch", or "enable him to catch" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "let him catch" and "help him catch"?

"Let him catch" implies giving permission, while "help him catch" indicates providing assistance. The choice depends on whether you're granting permission or offering help.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "let him catch"?

It's inappropriate if you intend to convey active assistance rather than permission. If you mean to help someone, use phrases like "assist him in catching" instead.