let him finish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let him finish" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to politely indicate that someone should finish what they are saying before another person speaks. For example, you can say, "Let him finish before you respond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I let him finish," Torre said.

The New York Times - Sports

MR. KING: All right, let him finish.

The New York Times

She exhaled audibly, but let him finish mansplaining.

The New Yorker

Rachel: He says I interrupt and don't let him finish.

The New York Times

And maybe this time they'll let him finish.

The Guardian - Sport

POTUS urged her to let him finish several times.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

I got up, they should have let him come to finish me and let me show what I got.

BBC

Let him or her finish, but nod your head or say, "I understand how you feel... ........ from time to time to stay involved.

WikiHow

Don't interrupt the person right away and let him or her finish before you speak up, and don't automatically try to "solve" the person's problem before fully understanding the situation.

WikiHow

While Howie let him at least mostly finish his performance, he ultimately ended up X-ing him as well, for mostly the same reasons as Sharon.

Huffington Post

So, after many bribes and threats he eventually came to our house and I simply didn't let him leave till he finished it".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "let him finish" in a debate or meeting, maintain a respectful tone to encourage orderly discussion and prevent the appearance of bias.

Common error

Avoid interrupting someone immediately after saying "let him finish". Allow a brief pause to ensure they have indeed concluded their thought; otherwise, you risk undermining your initial request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let him finish" functions primarily as an imperative, directly instructing or requesting someone to allow another person to complete their statement or action. As Ludwig confirms, it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

17%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "let him finish" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative phrase aimed at fostering respectful communication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It functions to prevent interruptions, ensuring individuals are given the opportunity to fully express their thoughts. The phrase's neutral register and widespread presence in various contexts, from news media to everyday conversations, highlight its importance in encouraging clear and courteous dialogue. Remember to use it thoughtfully, maintaining a respectful tone, and avoiding premature judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow him to complete

Focuses on granting permission for completion, emphasizing formal allowance.

permit him to conclude

Highlights the act of formally allowing the conclusion of something.

give him a chance to end

Stresses providing an opportunity for termination, implying fairness.

don't interrupt him

Directly advises against interruption, focusing on the negative action.

hold your comments until he's done

Instructs to delay commentary until the speaker has concluded, emphasizing patience.

refrain from interrupting

Formal instruction to avoid interruption, highlighting self-control.

let him speak

Simple directive allowing someone to express themselves verbally.

hear him out

Encourages listening to someone's full statement without prejudice.

give him the floor

Formally grants someone the opportunity to speak without interruption.

allow him to proceed

Focuses on enabling continuation, applicable to both speech and actions.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "let him finish"?

You can say, "Could we please "let him finish" his thought?" or "Perhaps we can "let him finish" before we respond."

What does it mean to "let him finish"?

It means to allow someone to complete their statement or action without interruption, showing respect and consideration for their perspective.

Is it ever inappropriate to say "let him finish"?

It might be inappropriate if the person is being intentionally disruptive, offensive, or using their time to spread misinformation. In such cases, other interventions might be necessary.

What's the difference between ""let him finish"" and "hear him out"?

"Let him finish" is a direct request to allow someone to complete their statement, while "hear him out" emphasizes listening to their entire perspective before making a judgment.