Quick Ans: Lets and let’s have different meanings and grammatical uses. Let’s is a contraction of “let us” and is used to suggest or propose something, while lets is the third person singular form of the verb “let.” The apostrophe changes the meaning, so choosing the correct form depends on the sentence.
Lets or let’s is a common grammar confusion because the two forms look almost identical. The only visible difference is an apostrophe, but that small mark changes the grammatical function and meaning.
Let’s is short for let us. We use it when suggesting an action, such as “Let’s go home” or “Let’s start the meeting.” It often appears in suggestions, invitations, instructions, and casual conversation.
Lets, without an apostrophe, is a verb. It means allows, permits, or gives someone permission to do something. For example, “My teacher lets us use calculators.”
Knowing when to use lets or let’s can make your writing clearer and more grammatically accurate. The easiest way to remember the difference is to check whether you can replace let’s with let us.
Quick Answer and Key Takeaway
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Let’s | Let us | Let’s watch a movie. |
| Lets | Allows or permits | She lets me borrow her car. |
Key takeaway: Use let’s for suggestions and lets when something or someone allows an action.
Definition and Explanation
What Does Let’s Mean?
Let’s is a contraction of let us.
It is commonly used to suggest that the speaker and another person or group do something together.
Examples:
- Let’s go outside.
- Let’s finish this project.
- Let’s try again.
- Let’s order dinner.
You can test the sentence by expanding let’s to let us.
Let’s study.
Let us study.
The meaning still works, so let’s is correct.
What Does Lets Mean?
Lets is the third person singular form of the verb let.
It means allows or permits.
Examples:
- My dad lets me drive his car.
- The teacher lets students ask questions.
- This app lets users edit photos.
- She lets her children choose their own clothes.
Here, you cannot replace lets with “let us.”
Is This a Grammar, Usage, or Vocabulary Issue?
This is primarily a grammar and punctuation issue.
The apostrophe in let’s signals that letters have been omitted from let us. Without the apostrophe, lets functions as a regular verb.
Compare:
Let’s eat lunch.
Meaning: Let us eat lunch.
My brother lets me eat lunch early.
Meaning: My brother allows me to eat lunch early.
The apostrophe isn’t optional because it distinguishes two different grammatical forms.
Real World Usage Examples
Workplace
Let’s schedule a meeting for Friday.
This makes a suggestion.
The manager lets employees work remotely.
This means the manager allows employees to work remotely.
Recap: Use let’s for suggestions and lets for permission.
Academic Writing
Let’s examine the results carefully.
This suggests examining the results.
The software lets researchers analyze large datasets.
This means the software allows researchers to analyze the data.
Recap: Look at the meaning of the sentence before choosing the form.
Everyday Writing
Let’s get some coffee.
My sister lets me borrow her clothes.
Recap: Both forms are common, but they perform different grammatical jobs.
When NOT to Use It
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t use lets when you mean “let us.”
- Don’t use let’s to mean “allows.”
- Don’t add an apostrophe to lets when it is the main verb.
- Don’t assume every word ending in s needs an apostrophe.
- Don’t write “Lets go” when making a suggestion.
- Don’t write “She let’s me leave” because the verb here is lets.
- Don’t confuse let’s with a possessive form.
Common Mistakes and Corrections
| Correct Sentence | Incorrect Sentence | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Let’s go home. | Lets go home. | “Let’s” means “let us.” |
| She lets me use her laptop. | She let’s me use her laptop. | “Lets” means “allows.” |
| Let’s begin the lesson. | Lets begin the lesson. | The sentence makes a suggestion. |
| My boss lets me leave early. | My boss let’s me leave early. | The verb means “allows.” |
| Let’s try another method. | Lets try another method. | “Let’s” is short for “let us.” |
Simple Decision Rule
If you can replace the word with “let us,” use let’s. If it means “allows” or “permits,” use lets.
Exercises With Answers
Choose lets or let’s.
- ___ go to the park.
- My mother ___ me stay up late on weekends.
- ___ finish this assignment.
- The website ___ users create free accounts.
- ___ order some food.
- Our teacher ___ us work in groups.
Answers
- Let’s
- lets
- Let’s
- lets
- Let’s
- lets
Related Concepts and Comparisons
The apostrophe in let’s represents missing letters from let us.
Similar contractions include:
| Contraction | Full Form |
|---|---|
| let’s | let us |
| we’re | we are |
| they’re | they are |
| you’re | you are |
| it’s | it is |
Remember that an apostrophe doesn’t automatically make a word possessive. In let’s, it shows that the word is a contraction.
FAQs
Is lets or let’s correct?
Both are correct, but they have different meanings. Let’s means “let us,” while lets means “allows” or “permits.”
When should I use let’s in a sentence?
Use let’s when making a suggestion or proposing an action. For example, “Let’s start the meeting.”
What does lets mean without an apostrophe?
Lets is a verb meaning “allows” or “permits.” For example, “The teacher lets us ask questions.”
Is “let’s go” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Let’s go” means “Let us go” and is a standard way to make a suggestion or encourage someone to leave or begin moving.
Is let’s short for let us?
Yes. Let’s is the contraction of let us.
Why does let’s have an apostrophe?
The apostrophe shows that letters have been omitted from let us. Therefore, “let’s” is written with an apostrophe.
Is “she let’s me” correct?
No. The correct sentence is “She lets me.” Here, lets means “allows,” so no apostrophe is needed.
What is the easiest way to remember lets vs let’s?
Try replacing let’s with let us. If the sentence still makes sense, let’s is correct. If the word means “allows,” use lets.
Can let’s be used in formal writing?
Yes, but its suitability depends on the context and style. In formal writing, writers sometimes use “let us” instead of the contraction “let’s.”
Conclusion
Understanding lets or let’s is simple once you focus on their meanings. Let’s is a contraction of let us and is normally used when making a suggestion, invitation, or proposal. For example, “Let’s begin the lesson” means “Let us begin the lesson.”
Lets, without an apostrophe, is a verb that means allows or permits. For example, “The teacher lets students ask questions.”
The apostrophe therefore matters. It isn’t just a punctuation detail. It tells the reader that let’s is a shortened form of two words.
The easiest rule is to replace let’s with let us. If the sentence still makes sense, use let’s. If you’re talking about someone allowing an action, use lets.
Practical tip: Whenever you’re unsure, ask yourself one question: Does this mean “let us” or “allows”? That quick test will help you choose the correct spelling every time.