lets be guided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lets be guided" is not correct in written English; it should be "let's be guided" with an apostrophe.
You can use it when suggesting that a group or individual follow guidance or direction from someone or something. Example: "In this meeting, let's be guided by the expert's advice to make informed decisions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, he lets himself be guided by them, sometimes almost subliminally.

The New Yorker

You have to let yourself be guided by encounters.

The New Yorker

And above all, it's about not letting yourself be guided by pressure and fear.

The Guardian

"Let us be guided" by Sister Mary's teachings, the pope declared then.

The New York Times

(My husband, pragmatically, let himself be guided by the quality of the complimentary baked goods, if any, on offer).

The New York Times - Magazine

Would it not be better to let ourselves be guided by utility, by our practical and above all by our moral needs?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But for once, when people on both sides are hugging their loved ones, let us be guided by our hopes, and not only by our fears.

The New York Times

Let us be guided by, and expand, both the Outer Space Treaty (1967) and the Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (1979).

The New York Times

Let yourself be guided.

Huffington Post

Let yourself be guided by them, blindly if possible.

Vice

Our task is to let ourselves be guided by the public search for meaning.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the imperative form to suggest guidance, ensure correct grammar. The proper form is "let's be guided", which is a contraction of "let us be guided".

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the apostrophe in "let's", writing it as "lets". This changes the meaning and makes the sentence grammatically incorrect. Always remember to use "let's" as a contraction of "let us".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lets be guided" is intended as an imperative phrase, aiming to suggest a course of action or a way of approaching a situation. Due to the grammatical error, it does not effectively convey this function. As Ludwig indicates, the correct form is "let's be guided".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lets be guided" is grammatically incorrect due to the missing apostrophe in "let's". This significantly impacts its usability and intended meaning. The correct form, "let's be guided", serves as an imperative phrase suggesting that a group or individual should allow themselves to be directed or influenced by something. Ludwig emphasizes that proper grammar is crucial for clear communication, and the correction to "let's be guided" ensures that the intended message is conveyed effectively. Without real-world examples found by Ludwig, it's difficult to specify common usage contexts but it's safe to assume its use is intended to be neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let's be guided

Adds an apostrophe to create a grammatically correct contraction of "let us", improving grammatical correctness.

allow ourselves to be directed

Replaces the imperative with a more passive construction, focusing on allowing direction rather than actively seeking guidance.

let us be led

Uses "led" instead of "guided", implying a more passive following of a leader.

permit ourselves to be influenced

Emphasizes the permission aspect of being influenced, suggesting a conscious choice to accept external influence.

enable ourselves to be steered

Focuses on enabling the ability to be steered, implying a more active role in allowing guidance.

give ourselves over to guidance

Suggests a complete surrender to guidance, implying a strong trust in the guiding force.

be open to direction

Emphasizes openness and receptiveness to direction, rather than actively seeking it.

be receptive to leadership

Focuses specifically on being receptive to leadership, implying a hierarchical structure.

take direction

A simpler and more direct way of saying to accept instructions or guidance.

follow instructions

Emphasizes adherence to a set of instructions, rather than a broader sense of guidance.

FAQs

What is the correct way to write "lets be guided"?

The grammatically correct way to write it is "let's be guided", which is a contraction of "let us be guided".

What does "let's be guided" mean?

It means to allow ourselves to be directed or influenced by something. It is an invitation to follow a particular course of action or advice.

Are there alternatives to "let's be guided"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "allow ourselves to be directed", "let us be led", or "permit ourselves to be influenced" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "let's be guided"?

It's appropriate when suggesting a course of action or decision-making process where guidance from an external source is desired or necessary. For example, "In this project, let's be guided by the data."