Let's: Making suggestions

The word let's is actually a contraction. It is short for let us. However, in modern English, we almost never say let us unless we are in a very formal ceremony or a classic movie. If you say "Let us go to the mall" at a party, people might think you are a time traveler from the 1800s. The magic of let's is that it functions as a first-person plural imperative. This is a fancy way of saying it is a command that includes the speaker. It skips the need for a subject like "we" because the "us" is already hidden inside the word. It is fast, efficient, and keeps the conversation moving at a natural pace.

1. 1Creating a sentence with let's is as easy as making toast. You only need two main ingredients.
2. 2Start with the word let's.
3. 3Add the base form of the verb (the infinitive without to).
4. 4For example: let's + dance = Let's dance!
5. 5To make it negative, you just add not after let's.
6. 6Start with let's.
7. 7Add not.
8. 8Add the base form of the verb.
9. 9For example: let's + not + worry = Let's not worry about that.
10. 10Notice that we do not use don't with let's. Saying "Let's don't go" is a common mistake that even some native speakers make in casual slang, but for your exams and clear communication, always stick to let's not.

You should use let's whenever you want to propose a shared activity. It is perfect for real-world scenarios:

• Ordering Food: You are at a restaurant with a colleague. You say, "Let's share the appetizers."
• Asking Directions: You and your partner are lost. You say, "Let's ask that police officer for help."
• Job Interviews: Even in professional settings, you can use it to show teamwork. You might say, "Let's look at my portfolio together."
• Social Planning: "Let's meet at 8:00 PM outside the cinema."
• Ending a Conversation: "Let's talk again soon!"

It works because it shares the responsibility. You aren't telling the other person what to do; you are offering to do it with them. It’s like a grammar traffic light turning green for everyone at once.

Do not use let's if you are not part of the action. If you want your friend to clean their room, you cannot say "Let's clean your room" unless you actually plan to pick up the socks yourself. If you do that, your friend will be very happy, but you will be doing all the work!

Also, avoid let's in very formal writing like academic essays or legal documents. In those cases, use more formal structures like "It is suggested that we..." or "We shall..." Finally, don't use it for solo actions. You wouldn't say "Let's go to the bathroom" if you are going alone—that would be quite confusing for everyone else in the room!

Even though it is simple, there are a few traps you might fall into. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes!

• The "To" Trap: People often say "Let's to go." This is wrong. Never use to after let's. It’s just Let's go.
• The "Ing" Trap: Don't say "Let's going." The verb must stay in its simplest form.
• The Apostrophe: Don't forget the apostrophe. Lets (without the apostrophe) is a different verb meaning "allows" (e.g., "He lets me borrow his car"). Let's is the suggestion.
• Double Negatives: Avoid saying "Let's don't." Stick to the clean and simple Let's not.

You have other options for making suggestions, and choosing the right one depends on how much energy you have.

• Shall we: This is like let's but more formal and British. "Shall we dance?" sounds like a movie; "Let's dance" sounds like a party.
• Why don't we: This is a question. It is slightly more tentative. "Why don't we go?" asks for an opinion. "Let's go" is more of a confident proposal.
• How about [verb]-ing: This is very casual. "How about going to the park?" It focuses more on the idea than the action itself.

Let's is the most direct and common way to get a group moving.