let them proceed

USAGE SUMMARY

"let them proceed" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is an imperative phrase meaning to allow or give permission for someone or something to continue or advance. Example: "The group of hikers encountered a steep hill, but the guide said, 'Let them proceed with caution.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Even so, farmers' groups and development workers in the zone are trying out alternatives, and the FARC has so far let them proceed.

The Economist

The bonuses, which were made public on Friday, were defended by the companies' federal regulator, James B. Lockhart, who said he intended to let them proceed.

The New York Times

Last year, there were nearly 1,000 racers, Mr. Nichols said, but because the event took place at the same time as some Occupy Wall Street protests, the police shut down traffic for the racers and let them proceed.

The New York Times

Because the cases were thrown out at an early stage, the appeals court had to accept the claims of the plaintiffs as true for deciding whether to let them proceed.

The New York Times

On July 30, the battered Thomas Flyer bearing Schuster; another mechanic, George Miller; and MacAdam, the Times reporter, reached Paris — and a gendarme would not let them proceed without a working headlight.

The New York Times

Shareholders had asked the judge, Arthur J. Gonzalez of United States Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, to let them proceed with a lawsuit against Enron, which had been shielded from litigation after it filed for bankruptcy protection.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Traffic police, for instance, routinely stop drivers for spurious reasons, expecting a bribe in return for letting them proceed.

The Economist

In the last few decades, though, a small number of circuit designers and other researchers have decided that they want their circuits to march to a different, clock-free drummer that lets them proceed at their own best speed.

The New York Times - Tech

The snarky Lorenzo Lamas (as a shady government operative) disagrees, but he eventually remembers the title of the film and lets them proceed.

Huffington Post

The host more or less accepts these tributes — he lets them proceed, anyway — before falling back to a familiar stance of self-deprecation: "This is like buying produce off a prison truck" is how he described his show to Amy Schumer.

Los Angeles Times

With directors and officers buying insurance directly, there would be no need for company bylaws to indemnify their mistakes and let them keep the proceeds even of egregious fraud.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "allow them to continue" or "permit them to proceed" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "let them proceed" if there are undisclosed conditions or limitations. If there are specific rules they must follow, state those explicitly instead of implying unconditional permission.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let them proceed" primarily functions as an imperative, instructing someone to allow a group to continue with their action or movement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and functions to grant permission.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "let them proceed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to grant permission or authorization for someone to continue with an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. While it is suitable for general use, be mindful of the context, opting for more formal alternatives like "allow them to continue" or "permit them to proceed" in professional settings. Keep in mind that it is not commonly used in formal contexts or Academic or Scientific articles. While "let them proceed" is quite versatile, awareness of its nuances will help ensure effective and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow them to continue

Replaces "proceed" with a more explicit term for continuation, maintaining the same meaning.

permit them to go ahead

Substitutes "let" with "permit" and "proceed" with "go ahead" for a slightly more formal tone.

give them the green light

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey permission, adding a sense of approval.

authorize their progression

Employs more formal vocabulary to indicate official approval for advancement.

enable their advancement

Focuses on providing the means or opportunity for progress.

clear the path for them

Suggests removing obstacles to allow unimpeded progress.

approve their continuation

Highlights the act of formally endorsing the ongoing nature of their activity.

grant them permission

Directly states the act of giving authorization.

don't stop them

Expresses permission by indicating the absence of prohibition.

leave them to it

An informal way of saying to allow someone to continue without interference.

FAQs

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

You can use "let them proceed" to grant permission or allow someone to continue with an action. For example, "After the inspection, the officer signaled to "let them proceed" across the border".

What are some alternatives to "let them proceed"?

Alternatives include "allow them to continue", "permit them to go ahead", or "give them the green light", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is "let them proceed" formal or informal?

"Let them proceed" is generally considered neutral. For more formal situations, consider using "permit them to proceed" or "authorize them to continue".

What's the difference between "let them proceed" and "make them proceed"?

"Let them proceed" implies permission, while "make them proceed" implies coercion or forcing someone to continue, even if they are unwilling.