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Prepositions after verbs

let with particles and prepositions

The verb 'let' forms several common phrasal verbs. 'Let in', 'let off', 'let on', and 'let out' have different meanings. 'Let to' is uncommon in modern English.

Quick answer

Which combinations with 'let' are common?

'Let in' means allow to enter. 'Let out' means allow to leave or release. 'Let off' can mean avoid punishment or explode. 'Let on' means reveal information. 'Let to' is rare and mainly found in older or legal language about renting property.

Please let in the guests.
The teacher let off the students early.
She never let on about the surprise.
They let out a loud cheer.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
let in + person

Allowing entry

Use 'let in' when someone is allowed to enter a place.

Can you let in the delivery driver?
Security refused to let in anyone without a pass.
2
let out + person or thing

Allowing exit or releasing

Use 'let out' for releasing someone or something.

She let out the dog.
The cinema let out the audience at midnight.
3
let off + person

Avoiding punishment or ending early

Use 'let off' when someone is excused or not punished.

The officer let off the cyclist with a warning.
We were let off ten minutes early.
4
let on + information

Revealing or pretending to know

Use 'let on' to mean reveal information, often in negative sentences.

He never let on that he was worried.
Don't let on about the meeting.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
let in
They let in the visitors at noon.
Allow someone to enter.
let to
The flat was let to a student.
A formal or British property-rental use meaning rented to someone.
let off
She was let off with a warning.
Avoid punishment or finish early.
let on
He did not let on about the plan.
Reveal information.
let out
The school let out at three o'clock.
Release or allow to leave.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using 'let to' for ordinary permission

Use 'let in' or simply 'let' for permission, not 'let to'.

✕ She let to the guests. ✓ She let the guests in.

Confusing 'let on' and 'let out'

'Let on' means reveal information. 'Let out' means release.

✕ He let out that he knew the secret. ✓ He let on that he knew the secret.

Omitting the particle in phrasal verbs

The particle changes the meaning.

✕ The guard let the visitors. ✓ The guard let the visitors in.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Please ___ the cat out before dinner.
2. She never ___ about the promotion.
3. The students were ___ early because of the storm.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 'let to' common in modern English?

No. It mainly appears in formal property language such as 'The house is let to tourists'.

What does 'let off' mean?

It can mean avoid punishment, finish early, or cause something to explode.

Can 'let out' describe sounds?

Yes. You can say 'let out a scream' or 'let out a laugh'.

label, as, label, with lag behind, in, from, on or by? "land on" or "land in"? languish in, at, on, for or near? last for, from, until, in or through? "latch onto" or "latch on"? laugh at, with, about, in or for? launch in, by, on, at or into? "lay on" or "lay in"? lead to, by, up, in or from? "leak to" or "leak from"? lean on, towards, against, toward or to?

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