let him speak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let him speak" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to give permission or encourage someone to express their thoughts or opinions, often in a discussion or debate context. Example: "Before we make a decision, let's pause and let him speak; he might have valuable insights to share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But let him speak on that first.

The New York Times - Sports

Then just let him speak for himself.

The New York Times - Books

And I'll let him speak for himself.

The New York Times

Accordingly, McCain's advisers let him speak to reporters for hours, unfiltered, on the Straight Talk Express.

The New Yorker

A group in the rafters also shouted "Liberty" in addition to "Let him speak".

The New York Times

This let him speak the way everyone does, vocalizing as he exhaled.

The New York Times - Magazine

Terry told me that when the notifying soldier came to her door, she wouldn't let him speak.

The New York Times

She said that he remained "useful to France," but that "we should let him speak for himself" about his plans.

The New York Times

I saw his speech two hours early but let him speak anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let him speak to them face to face, as an equal, not as a pastor.

The New York Times

Mr. Treffinger said his lawyers would not let him speak about the case.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid sounding dismissive, use "let him speak" with a genuine intention to listen and consider the speaker's perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "let him speak" sarcastically or as a means of shutting down discussion. It should be used to genuinely encourage someone to express their views.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let him speak" functions primarily as an imperative, urging or permitting someone to express their views. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. The examples show it's used both to encourage speech and to demand the right to speak.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "let him speak" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to advocate for someone's right or opportunity to express themselves. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an imperative, encouraging inclusivity and fairness in discussions. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "allow him to address". Remember to use "let him speak" with genuine intent to foster meaningful dialogue. Avoid sarcasm or dismissal; its purpose is to promote balanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow him to talk

Replaces "let" with "allow", providing a more formal tone while retaining the same core meaning.

give him a chance to speak

Emphasizes providing an opportunity for someone to voice their opinion.

give him the floor

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate granting someone the opportunity to speak.

permit him to address

Employs a more formal verb, "permit", suggesting a deliberate granting of permission to speak.

let him express himself

Focuses on allowing someone to freely communicate their thoughts and feelings.

hear him out

Focuses on listening to what someone has to say without interruption.

allow him to voice his opinion

Highlights the action of voicing an opinion and provides the same permission to speak.

enable him to speak

Emphasizes the provision of necessary conditions or means for someone to speak.

don't interrupt him

Highlights the importance of allowing someone to speak without being interrupted.

refrain from interrupting him

Instructs to not interrupt the person that is talking. It's another way to express that you are allowing them to talk.

FAQs

What does "let him speak" mean?

The phrase "let him speak" means to allow or permit someone to express their thoughts, opinions, or ideas without interruption. It implies giving someone the opportunity to be heard.

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

You can use "let him speak" in a sentence like this: "Before we make a decision, we should "let him speak" and consider his perspective." Or, "The audience chanted, '"let him speak"!' when the speaker was being interrupted."

What are some alternatives to "let him speak"?

Some alternatives to "let him speak" include "allow him to talk", "give him the floor", or "permit him to address" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "let him speak" grammatically correct?

Yes, "let him speak" is grammatically correct. The verb "let" is used in the bare infinitive construction, where it's followed by an object pronoun ("him") and the base form of the verb ("speak").