let, lets and let's

To let can mean to allow or to rent out. As you'd expect, it goes: I let, you let, he lets, etc.

A let can be a nullified play in sport or a rented property. As you'd expect, the plural is lets.

Let's (with an apostrophe) is a contraction of let us. It is similar in meaning to we should.

Let and Lets

The word let has several meanings. It can be a noun or a verb.

As a noun (e.g., a holiday let), it has the plural lets (e.g., three holiday lets). As a verb in the present tense, it goes:

I let
you let
he/she/it lets
we let
you let
they let

Below are the meanings for let:

A play usually in racket/racquet sports) which is nullified and has to be played again.

The ball touched the top of the net causing a let.
There have been three lets on this serve so far.

A rented property (as a noun):

This is a holiday let.
There are a few lets on this estate.

To rent a property (as a verb):

She is prepared to let this building for six months.
This building is to let.
She lets several houses in the area.

To allow:

He let the dog lick his lollipop.
Paula lets him cook the dinner on Fridays.
The man who lets himself be bored is even more contemptible than the bore. (Samuel Butler, 1835-1902)
There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in. (Graham Greene)

Let's

The word let's is a contraction of let us. Let's [do something] is close in meaning to We should [do something]. For example:

Let's go fishing.
Let's have a party. Oh yes, let's.
Let's have a party if mum lets us.
I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with typewriters. (Solomon Short)
Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: "I'm with you kid. Let's go." (Maya Angelou)

A slogan on a T shirt highlighting the importance of commas.
Unfortunately, it should say let's not lets. Ooops.

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Let and Lets

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