letting him rest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "letting him rest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to allowing someone to take a break or have some time to recover, either physically or emotionally. Example: "After a long day of work, I decided to let him rest before we continued our discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Let him rest in peace".

The Guardian - Film

We should let him rest a minute.

The New Yorker

"They killed him; let him rest in peace".

The New York Times

Brad looked exhausted; it seemed wise to let him rest.

The New Yorker

He choked back tears and shouted: "Let him rest.

The New York Times - Sports

"Let him rest a little bit," Howe said.

The New York Times - Sports

His success in Europe was complete, but his need to earn would never let him rest.

The New Yorker

We will let him rest and see what opportunities are out there for him at 140lbs.

The Guardian - Sport

This is my son, let him rest in peace, please give him some dignity.

The Guardian

Wallace said he overslept, so Cheeks let him rest on the bench for the entire first quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

Obviously, we've got to get the swelling back down and let him rest.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "letting him rest" when you want to emphasize the act of allowing someone to recover or take a break from activity. It suggests a conscious decision to permit rest.

Common error

Avoid using "letting him rest" in situations where the person is already at rest or in peace (e.g., after death). In such contexts, phrases like "let him rest in peace" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "letting him rest" functions as a gerund phrase, where "letting" is the gerund acting as a noun, and "him rest" is its object. It describes the act of permitting someone to rest.

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 "letting him rest" is a grammatically sound gerund phrase that describes the act of allowing someone to take a break or recover. While the usage examples are limited, as identified by Ludwig, the phrase is generally considered correct and can be applied in various contexts. It is essential to avoid misinterpreting the context and using it when referring to someone who has passed away, where "let him rest in peace" would be more appropriate. Considering Ludwig's analysis, it's a versatile phrase with a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allowing him to relax

Focuses on relaxation rather than just rest.

permitting him to take a break

Uses a more formal tone by using "permitting".

giving him time to recover

Emphasizes the recovery aspect of resting.

letting him have downtime

Uses the term "downtime" to suggest a period of inactivity.

allowing him a respite

Uses the word "respite" for a temporary break.

granting him leave to repose

Employs a more archaic and formal tone.

affording him the opportunity to unwind

Highlights the chance to de-stress and unwind.

giving him a chance to recharge

Uses the metaphor of "recharging" for resting.

allowing him to be undisturbed

Focuses on preventing interruptions during rest.

permitting him a moment of peace

Highlights the tranquility and peace of resting.

FAQs

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

You can use "letting him rest" to describe the act of allowing someone to take a break or recover. For example, "After the strenuous workout, we were "letting him rest" before starting the next activity".

What's a less common but more formal alternative to "letting him rest"?

A more formal alternative would be "permitting him to rest" or "allowing him a respite". These phrases are less common in everyday conversation but suitable for formal writing.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "letting him rest"?

It's inappropriate to use "letting him rest" when referring to someone who has passed away. A more suitable phrase in that context would be "let him rest in peace".

What is the difference between "letting him rest" and "allowing him to relax"?

"Letting him rest" implies providing an opportunity for physical or mental recovery after exertion. "Allowing him to relax" suggests creating an environment conducive to de-stressing and leisure, which isn't necessarily after exertion.