Let’s for suggestions to do something together

A shared action

Use Let’s to suggest doing something together. The speaker includes both themselves and the listener: it is more than just an instruction to someone else.

Grammatically, this is a first-person plural imperative, but its usual communicative purpose here is to make a joint suggestion. The term “imperative” therefore does not mean every such remark is an order.

How to build it

Let’s + base verb

verb / V: A word for an action or state, such as work or be. The pattern determines its form.
V1 / base form: The base verb without to: work, go, be.

Let's walk to work today.

The speaker suggests an action for both themselves and the listener.

Let's make dinner together.

Together emphasises the shared participation already expressed by Let’s.

The form after Let’s

After Let’s, use the base verb without to: go, eat, be, start. The form does not change according to person or number.

The apostrophe is part of the contraction Let’s. Lets without an apostrophe has a different grammatical meaning: lets is the form of the verb let used with he, she or it.

How to build it

Let’s go · Let’s be · not Let’s to go / Let’s going

Let's be ready at eight.

Let’s is followed by the base form be, rather than are.

Let's call Marta now.

Call does not need to before it.

A negative suggestion

To suggest not doing something, put not immediately after Let’s: Let’s not rush. This is a shared decision to refrain from an action.

British English also allows Don’t let’s + base verb. It is less common; Let’s not is the simplest choice for neutral modern language.

How to build it

Let’s not + base verb

verb / V: A word for an action or state, such as work or be. The pattern determines its form.
V1 / base form: The base verb without to: work, go, be.

Let's not take a taxi.

Not comes before take and makes the suggested joint action negative.

Don't let's argue about it.

A grammatical but less common British alternative for a negative suggestion.

Let’s, Let me and an instruction

Let’s check the map suggests checking it together. Let me check the map means that only the speaker will check it, often as an offer to help. Check the map is a direct instruction to the listener.

The same base verb can therefore refer to different people performing the action. Look at Let’s, me, or the absence of these words, rather than only at the verb itself.

Let's carry the box together.

Both the speaker and listener perform the action.

Let me carry the box.

This offers an action by the speaker, rather than a shared action.

Carry the box carefully.

This is a direct instruction to the listener.

Let’s and let us are not always interchangeable

Let us can be a very formal version of a joint suggestion: Let us begin. In that meaning, the conversational Let’s begin is natural, although the register changes.

However, let us can also literally ask for permission: Please let us leave. Here let is the ordinary verb meaning “allow”, and us is its object. Contracting it to Please let’s leave changes the meaning to a joint suggestion and does not convey the permission request.

Lets without an apostrophe is also an ordinary verb: This ticket lets us enter means the ticket allows us to enter.

Let us begin the meeting.

A formal joint invitation; Let’s begin is more common in ordinary conversation.

Please let us use this room.

Let us asks for permission here, so it is not simply an expanded Let’s.

The key lets us open the door.

Lets without an apostrophe means “allows”.

Inviting agreement

After a suggestion with Let’s, you can add the short tag shall we?: Let’s start, shall we? It invites the listener to confirm or discuss the suggestion.

The answer need not repeat Let’s. Good idea, Sure or Sorry, I can’t can all be complete, appropriate responses. Declining a suggestion is not itself a grammatical error.

How to build it

Let’s + base verb, shall we?

verb / V: A word for an action or state, such as work or be. The pattern determines its form.
V1 / base form: The base verb without to: work, go, be.

Let's have lunch now, shall we?

Shall we? asks for a response to the joint suggestion.

Good idea. Let's go.

The speaker first accepts the previous suggestion, then moves to the action.

Using the rule in conversation

First decide who will perform the action. If it is the speaker together with the listener, Let’s is usually appropriate. Then choose a positive or negative form and add the base verb.

The suggestion must fit the situation. A grammatical Let’s open the window does not fulfil a task in which the speakers are arranging a meeting time.

It's warm in here. Let's open the window.

The situation gives a natural reason for the joint action.

The café is full. Let's not wait here.

The negative suggestion responds to a specific problem.

Common mistakes

Incorrect:Lets go home.

Correct:Let's go home.

The contraction Let’s needs an apostrophe; lets without one means “allows” with he, she or it.

Incorrect:Let's to take a break.

Correct:Let's take a break.

After Let’s, use the base verb without to.

Incorrect:Let's not to buy it.

Correct:Let's not buy it.

In the negative form, not comes after Let’s, followed by the base verb without to.

Incorrect:Let's are ready at seven.

Correct:Let's be ready at seven.

After Let’s, use the base form be, rather than the finite form are.

Sources