let him rest

USAGE SUMMARY

"let him rest" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally speaking, it can be used to ask someone to rest or give someone a break from a task or responsibility. For example, "John has been working tirelessly all day, let him rest for a while before he continues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

News & Media - Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Let him rest in peace".

The Guardian - Film

We should let him rest a minute.

The New Yorker

Brad looked exhausted; it seemed wise to let him rest.

The New Yorker

"They killed him; let him rest in peace".

The New York Times

He choked back tears and shouted: "Let him rest.

The New York Times - Sports

"Let him rest a little bit," Howe said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

She lets him rest in her apartment for a while, then he goes home to his wife.

The New Yorker

In its own way, Laeta Kalogridis' screenplay, which is based on the Dennis Lehane bestselling novel, turns into Teddy's most formidable adversary -- never letting him rest as obstacles are thrown in his path and paranoia rises with every step he takes.

Los Angeles Times

If your horse tires, then come back to a trot and let him settle and rest.

WikiHow

He already owns 39% of Sky, so why not let him have the rest?

The Guardian - Opinion

She took out his electric shaver, began shaving a portion of his beard and then let him do the rest.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “let him rest” when you want to suggest someone needs a break due to exhaustion or after a strenuous activity. It can also be used in the context of allowing someone who has passed away to be undisturbed.

Common error

Avoid using “let him rest” when the person is actively engaged or needs to continue with a task. Instead, consider phrases like “let him continue” or “allow him to proceed”.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “let him rest” functions as an imperative, giving a command or making a suggestion. Ludwig examples confirm its use in contexts where someone is either physically tired or in the context of death (Ludwig AI has confirmed it is a standard phrase).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

News & Media - Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “let him rest” is a versatile imperative phrase, commonly used to advocate for someone's need for relaxation or to express a wish for peace, especially after death. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news media and general conversation. While generally neutral in tone, its formality can shift based on the specific situation. Remember to use alternative phrases such as “"allow him to relax"” or “"give him a break"” depending on the context. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is standard and correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow him to relax

Focuses on enabling relaxation, slightly more formal.

let him take it easy

Suggests a relaxed and unhurried approach.

give him a break

Emphasizes providing a temporary pause from activity.

let him have some peace

Highlights the need for tranquility and quiet.

leave him alone

Stresses non-interference and solitude.

allow him downtime

Emphasizes a period of inactivity for recovery.

give him space

Emphasizes the need for physical or emotional distance.

permit him to repose

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to suggest rest.

grant him respite

Focuses on providing a temporary relief from something difficult.

let him catch his breath

Suggests someone needs a moment to recover from exertion.

FAQs

How can I use “let him rest” in a sentence?

You can use “let him rest” to suggest giving someone a break, as in "He's been working all day; "let him rest" for a while". It can also refer to allowing a deceased person to be undisturbed, such as "let him rest in peace".

What's a more formal way to say “let him rest”?

More formal alternatives include “"permit him to repose"” or “allow him to rest”. These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What can I say instead of “let him rest” to indicate giving someone a break?

Alternatives to indicate giving someone a break include “"give him a break"”, “"allow him to relax"”, or “"let him take it easy"”.

Is it appropriate to use “let him rest” when referring to someone who is deceased?

Yes, “let him rest” is often used when referring to someone who has died, often as part of the phrase “let him rest in peace”. It expresses a wish for the deceased to be undisturbed.