lets him to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lets him to" is not correct in written English.
The correct form would be "lets him" without the "to." Example: "She lets him choose the movie for their date night."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

After starting just three games over his first two seasons, Green also recognizes that his struggle to earn playing time gave him a perspective that lets him to connect to almost every player on the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Whenever possible, he stays at a Motel 6 because it's inexpensive and the chain lets him to smoke in his room, unlike the Marriott hotels that Mr. Romney favors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The referee is probably scared of him and just let him to talk with him too long," Berdych said.

The New York Times - Sports

Then sit back and let him to do the right thing.

Huffington Post

Well, let him to put his money where his mouth is.

Huffington Post

Let him to be the hunter.

WikiHow

Let him to know that you're around and you can come whenever he needs.

WikiHow

Do not let him to invade in your own private space.

WikiHow

She lets him decide what to make.

The New York Times

Friends persuaded the father to let him go to high school, and the same friends later persuaded the father to let him go to college.

The New York Times

Adolf Hitler refused to let him go to the ceremony.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, replace the phrase "lets him to" with "allows him to" or "permits him to". These alternatives maintain the intended meaning of granting permission while adhering to standard English grammar.

Common error

Avoid adding "to" after "lets". The correct structure is "lets him" followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., "lets him go"). Adding "to" creates a grammatically incorrect infinitive construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lets him to" functions as a verb phrase attempting to express permission or allowance. However, as indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "lets him" followed by the base form of a verb. The inclusion of "to" is superfluous.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "lets him to" aims to convey permission or allowance, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI clearly marks it as incorrect and advises against its use. Replace it with grammatically sound alternatives such as "lets him", "allows him to", or "permits him to", depending on the context and desired level of formality. Although some instances appear in news and media and wikis, prioritize grammatical correctness for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lets him

Removes the unnecessary "to" to correct the grammatical error.

allows him to

Replaces "lets" with the more formal "allows" and corrects the grammatical structure by removing "to".

permits him to

Similar to "allows him to", but uses "permits" to convey formal permission, and corrects the grammatical structure by removing "to".

enables him to

Focuses on enabling an action rather than granting permission, correcting the grammatical structure by removing "to".

authorizes him to

Implies a more formal or official permission, correcting the grammatical structure by removing "to".

gives him leave to

Emphasizes the granting of permission or freedom to act, correcting the grammatical structure by removing "to".

entitles him to

Suggests a right or qualification to do something, correcting the grammatical structure by removing "to".

grants him the power to

Emphasizes the power or authority conferred, correcting the grammatical structure by removing "to".

gives him the ability to

Focuses on giving the ability, rather than permission.

allows that he

Restructures the sentence to use a "that" clause, avoiding the infinitive, with similar meaning. Very different syntax.

FAQs

Why is "lets him to" considered grammatically incorrect?

The verb "let" in the sense of allowing someone to do something is followed directly by the object (him) and the base form of the verb. The inclusion of "to" creates an unnecessary infinitive construction. Correct alternatives include "allows him to" or "permits him to".

What are some alternatives to "lets him to" that maintain a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "lets him", "allows him to", "permits him to", and "enables him to". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "lets him" differ in meaning from "allows him to"?

"Lets him" is more informal and direct, while "allows him to" is more formal. Both convey the idea of granting permission, but "allows him to" might suggest a more considered or official authorization.

Is "lets him to" ever acceptable in informal speech or writing?

While you might encounter "lets him to" in informal speech, it's generally considered non-standard and grammatically incorrect. In formal writing, avoid using it. Instead use "lets him" or a more formal option like "allows him to".