let them try

USAGE SUMMARY

"let them try" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example, "If they think they can do it, let them try."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I let them try".

The New York Times

Good: let them try.

The Guardian

Let them try.

The New York Times

"But let them try.

The New York Times

Let them try Izu's salmon.

The New York Times

Why not let them try?

Harvard Business Review

"Let them try to knock it down.

The Guardian

"Let them try to destroy me.

The New York Times

Why not let them try this?

The Washington Post

Let them try; they'd be wasting their time.

The New York Times - Magazine

So I thought I'd let them try it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let them try" to encourage experimentation and initiative, especially when the potential downsides are minimal.

Common error

While useful, avoid overusing "let them try" if it leads to repetitive sentence structures. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let them try" functions primarily as an imperative, giving permission or encouragement for someone to attempt something. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "let them try" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey permission or encouragement. As highlighted by Ludwig, its common usage across news, business and informal media, coupled with its correct structure, makes it a reliable choice in various writing contexts. When deciding whether to use "let them try", consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. While generally neutral, it is more suitable for less formal communications. Be also sure that what you allow is something that you can control/handle the consequences or repercussions. Finally, keep in mind that alternative phrases, such as "allow them to attempt" or "give them a shot", can provide more nuances depending on the specific message you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow them to attempt

Uses more formal vocabulary; replaces "try" with "attempt" and adds "to" for grammatical correctness.

enable them to undertake

More formal and emphasizes the provision of means or opportunity.

permit them to venture

Substitutes "try" with "venture", suggesting a riskier or more uncertain undertaking.

authorize their effort

Implies formal permission or endorsement of their attempt.

give them a shot

More idiomatic; uses "shot" to mean an attempt or opportunity.

let them give it a go

Informal British English equivalent of "let them try".

leave it to them to experiment

Focuses on delegating the task to them for experimentation.

don't stop them from trying

Expresses the idea of not preventing them from attempting something.

offer them the chance

Focuses on providing the opportunity or possibility to try.

make way for their attempts

Suggests removing obstacles to allow them to try, implies a sense of anticipation.

FAQs

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

You can use "let them try" to express permission or encouragement, as in "If they think they can improve the process, "let them try"." or "They want to implement the new software? "Let them try"."

What are some alternatives to "let them try"?

Alternatives include "allow them to attempt", "permit them to venture", or "give them a shot", depending on the formality and specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "let them try" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "let them try" is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "enable them to undertake" or "authorize their effort".

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

"Let them try" implies permission or allowance, while "make them try" suggests compulsion or forcing someone to attempt something. The former is about giving an option, the latter about imposing an action.