letting him know

USAGE SUMMARY

"letting him know" is a correct grammatical phrase.
You can use it when you are referring to a specific person in a sentence. For example, "The manager sent an email to his boss, letting him know that the project was completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was his bank letting him know his credit card had been used abroad.

The Guardian - Travel

On Sept. 10, he heard from the bank, letting him know a date had been set.

The New York Times

It was M's way of letting him know he had to fly to Morocco at a moment's notice.

The Guardian - Travel

He cornered him in a parking lot, letting him know that he had crossed the wrong guy.

The New Yorker

He has a father who received the dreaded phone call letting him know that his son had been injured.

The New York Times

He keeps it right in his office, where he can watch the lights glow, letting him know all is safe.

The New York Times

I'm just letting him know I'm going to be there every time".

The New York Times - Sports

"The guys were tremendously helpful talking to him and letting him know where to be.

The New York Times - Sports

He's just sending a little message to Hamilton, there, letting him know he's in control.

The Guardian - Sport

Mendes was, he felt, with hubba-hubba emphasis, "letting him know what he'd left behind".

The Guardian - Film

I'm putting myself in his shoes, and letting him know he's not crazy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "letting him know" to convey a direct or indirect act of informing someone about something. This phrase is versatile and suits various contexts, from casual conversations to formal announcements.

Common error

Avoid using "letting him know" excessively in passive constructions. Ensure the sentence clearly identifies who is doing the letting and why, to maintain clarity and impact. For example, instead of "He was letting him know", specify "John was letting him know."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "letting him know" is that of a participial phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

37%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "letting him know" is a versatile and commonly used expression for conveying information, as validated by Ludwig. While grammatically correct and frequently found in news articles, wikis, and academic texts, it's crucial to consider the context. Opt for more formal alternatives like "informing" or "notifying" in professional settings. Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's widespread use, highlighting its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

telling him

A simpler and more direct way of conveying the same idea.

informing him

Focuses directly on the act of providing information.

making him aware

Emphasizes bringing something to his attention.

communicating to him

Highlights the process of conveying information.

notifying him

Implies a more formal or official method of communication.

signaling to him

Suggests a non-verbal or indirect method of communication.

making sure he knew

Emphasizes the certainty of his knowledge.

advising him

Suggests offering guidance or recommendations.

hinting to him

Implies a subtle or indirect way of communicating.

keeping him in the loop

Focuses on maintaining his awareness of ongoing events.

FAQs

How can I use "letting him know" in a sentence?

You can use "letting him know" to describe the act of informing someone about something. For example: "She emailed him, "letting him know" about the meeting change."

What's a more formal way to say "letting him know"?

Alternatives with a formal tone are "informing him", or "notifying him". Consider the context to select the best option. For example, a formal notification might use "notifying him" instead of "letting him know".

Is it better to say "telling him" or "letting him know"?

"Telling him" is more direct and simple. "Letting him know" implies a process or a means of conveying information that might not be immediately obvious. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "I was "telling him" to do his homework."

When should I avoid using the phrase "letting him know"?

Avoid using "letting him know" when a more direct or concise verb would be more effective, especially in formal writing. Consider using "informing", "notifying", or "telling" for brevity.