let me leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let me leave" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting permission to depart or exit a situation. Example: "I have to go now, so please let me leave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They let me leave.

The Guardian - Travel

They wouldn't let me leave".

The Guardian

Let me leave it at that.

The New York Times - Science

"Do that, don't let me leave".

The New Yorker

He wouldn't let me leave until I changed my mind.

The New York Times

"Last year, Liverpool would not let me leave.

Independent

She won't let me leave the house wearing them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The only question is whether they would let me leave".

The New Yorker

They barricaded the doors; they would not let me leave".

The New York Times

She wouldn't let me leave until I ate.

The New York Times

It feels like Sky wouldn't let me leave anyway".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "let me leave" in formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "permit me to depart" or "allow me to exit" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "let me leave" when a direct command is more appropriate. Instead of saying "Let me leave now!" in an emergency, use "I need to leave now!" or "I must go now!" for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let me leave" primarily functions as a request for permission. As evidenced by Ludwig's analysis and examples, it is commonly used to ask for authorization to depart from a place or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "let me leave" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to request permission to depart or exit a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is generally neutral to informal, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in professional or academic settings. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase conveys a straightforward request and aligns with standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow me to exit

Polite request for permission to leave, focusing on the act of exiting

permit me to depart

Formal alternative that emphasizes granting permission for departure

excuse me, I need to go

Direct and polite way to announce one's need to leave

may I be excused

Formal request for permission to leave a formal setting or situation

I request permission to leave

Very formal and direct way of asking to be allowed to leave

is it alright if I go

Casual way of asking if it's okay to leave

I'd like to take my leave

Polite and somewhat archaic way of announcing one's departure

I have to excuse myself

More formal way to state that one needs to leave

can I be released

Emphasizes being freed from a current obligation or location

I must be going

Politely indicates the need to leave, often used to signal departure

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "let me leave"?

You can use phrases like "may I be excused", "allow me to exit", or "permit me to depart" for a more formal and polite request.

What's a more urgent way to say "let me leave"?

If you need to leave urgently, you could say "I need to leave now" or "I must go now" to convey the immediacy of your need.

Is "let me leave" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "let me leave" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "permit me to depart" or "allow me to exit".

What's the difference between "allow me to leave" and "let me leave"?

Both phrases express the same meaning, but "allow me to leave" is slightly more formal than "let me leave". They both request or seek permission to depart.