were let go

USAGE SUMMARY

'were let go' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone has been dismissed from their job or released from a responsibility. For example, "Many of the workers at the factory were let go due to the slow economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Staff members were let go.

The New York Times - Arts

Eventually they were let go.

The Economist

Soon after, the boys were let go.

The New Yorker

Revel's remaining employees were let go.

The New Yorker

The school crossing guards were let go.

The New York Times

They were let go after repeated strikes.

The New York Times

Last month, 77,000 Census Bureau employees were let go.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, the morning hosts were let go.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The staff was let go.

The New Yorker

Then he was let go.

The New Yorker

Or be let go.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were let go" in a sentence, ensure the subject clearly identifies who was dismissed or released. For example: "The employees were let go due to budget cuts."

Common error

Avoid using "were let go" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of saying "Mistakes were let go unnoticed", it's better to say "The manager let mistakes go unnoticed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were let go" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being released or dismissed. Ludwig shows its prevalence in describing employment terminations and releases from custody.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were let go" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe a situation where individuals have been dismissed from employment or released from custody. According to Ludwig, this passive construction is most frequently found in news and media contexts, offering a neutral way to convey the information. Alternatives like "were dismissed" or "were laid off" can be used to provide more specific meaning. The choice between these options depends on the intended tone and the specific circumstances being described. With a high expert rating, "were let go" remains a reliable and versatile phrase in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were dismissed

Emphasizes formal termination of employment.

were laid off

Specifically indicates job loss due to economic reasons.

were terminated

A more formal and direct way of saying someone's employment ended.

were released

Focuses on being freed from captivity or obligation.

were discharged

Implies a formal release, often from a duty or service.

had their employment terminated

A longer, more descriptive way of stating job loss.

were made redundant

Specifically indicates job loss because the position is no longer needed.

were given notice

Focuses on the act of informing someone about their upcoming job loss.

were given the sack

An informal way of saying someone was fired.

were ousted

Suggests being removed from a position of power or influence, not necessarily employment.

FAQs

How can I use "were let go" in a sentence?

You can use "were let go" to indicate that someone was dismissed from a job or released from custody. For example, "Several employees "were laid off", and others were let go due to performance issues."

What's a more formal alternative to "were let go"?

More formal alternatives include "were terminated" or "were dismissed". These options are suitable for professional or official contexts.

Is it correct to say "was let go" instead of "were let go"?

No, use "was let go" for singular subjects (e.g., "He was let go") and "were let go" for plural subjects (e.g., "They were let go").

What is the difference between "were let go" and "were fired"?

"Were fired" implies termination due to misconduct or poor performance, while "were let go" is a more general term that can include layoffs, restructuring, or other reasons for job termination. Therefore, "were let go" is often considered a softer way to describe job loss than "were fired".