let them close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let them close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when giving permission or allowing someone or something to come to a conclusion or finish a process. Example: "If they feel ready, let them close the meeting when they are done discussing the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I told our guys to stop them — don't let them close the door!

The New Yorker

We will not let them close the gap," said Matthew Barnes, Aldi's UK joint managing director.

The Guardian - Business

I don't think we will ever let them close [things] until we have an answer to where the plane is".

The Guardian

The government's indiscriminate crackdown, led by troops from the south, let them close a long-standing ethnic division in northern Nigeria between Kanuris and the dominant Hausa-Fulani.

The Economist

We will not let them close the gap," says Matthew Barnes, a smooth-talking Brit who has risen through Aldi's ranks to lead the UK business alongside German-born colleague Roman Heini.

The Guardian - Business

But in the short term the falling underlying demand makes the industry's excess capacity in Europe all the more wasteful; politicians should let them close factories.Governments in emerging markets, where hundreds of cities are taking shape, should learn from mistakes and successes elsewhere.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Barbie rolled her eyes and went through the double doors, letting them close on me even though I was right behind her.

Huffington Post

People from the neighborhood rushed to the site, begging with police who quickly cordoned off the area to let them closer to determine if their relatives had been on board.

The New York Times

Other vessels' crews, including the Dongyih's, seldom pay attention to tugboats and let them come close, making them attractive vessels for criminal activity.

The New York Times

I let them come closest to the surface in a book called "The Visible World".

The New Yorker

And now we'll let them make closing arguments to win you over, in alphabetical order: Julia: O.K., people, it's been cute; since our cook fight went live on Tuesday, Kim and I have been running neck and neck in the voting for which holiday gifts you'd most like to receive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "let them close" in business, specify the conditions for the conclusion clearly to avoid misunderstandings. Document milestones to ensure a structured and mutually agreed-upon conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "let them close" when the subject ('them') is unclear or undefined within the context. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of who is authorized to close or conclude something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let them close" functions as a directive or permissive expression, allowing or authorizing a specified group ('them') to conclude or finalize an action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "let them close" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to grant permission or delegate the responsibility of concluding an activity. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is directive or permissive, fitting comfortably across a range of contexts, including news media and general instructional settings. The phrase's formality is context-dependent, and its effective use requires clarity regarding the subject ('them') and their authority. Alternatives such as "allow them to conclude" or "permit them to shut" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow them to conclude

Replaces "let" with "allow" and uses "conclude" instead of "close", providing a slightly more formal tone.

permit them to shut

Substitutes "let" with "permit" and "close" with "shut", offering a more direct and potentially forceful nuance.

enable them to finish

Uses "enable" in place of "let", focusing on empowering or making it possible for them to complete something.

give them leave to terminate

Employs more formal language with "give them leave" and "terminate" for a higher degree of formality.

authorize them to end

Replaces "let" with "authorize" indicating formal approval to end something.

grant them permission to complete

This alternative is a more formal version of the original phrase with a greater emphasis on approval.

don't prevent them from closing

Expresses the same sentiment but in a negative form, highlighting the absence of obstruction.

leave it to them to close

Shifts the focus to delegation, emphasizing that the closing action is their responsibility.

allow them the opportunity to close

Adds emphasis on the opportunity provided to close, rather than just the allowance.

it's up to them to close

Highlights the autonomy and responsibility given to "them" to perform the closing action.

FAQs

How can I use "let them close" in a sentence?

Use "let them close" to indicate permission or allowance for a group to conclude an activity or process. For example: "If the team has completed the project, "let them close" the project file".

What are some alternatives to saying "let them close"?

You can use alternatives like "allow them to conclude", "permit them to shut", or "enable them to finish", depending on the level of formality and specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "let them close" grammatically correct?

Yes, "let them close" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of 'let' + pronoun + verb, which is commonly used to express permission or allowance.

What does "let them close" imply?

"Let them close" implies that you are giving someone the permission or authority to finalize or conclude a process or activity. The context often dictates whether this is a formal or informal allowance.