When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To let (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to let" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to let my friend borrow my car.
Letting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "letting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Letting go of past grudges is important for personal growth.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To let (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To let someone in is a kind gesture.
To let someone in is a kind gesture.
- "*To let* someone in" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a kind gesture).
- 2Object
She wants me to let her use my laptop.
She wants me to let her use my laptop.
- "Me *to let* her use my laptop" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to let* her use my laptop).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a key to let myself into the house.
I need a key to let myself into the house.
- "*To let* myself into the house" modifies the noun "key."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a key *to let* myself into the house).
Letting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Letting others help you is a sign of strength.
Letting others help you is a sign of strength.
- "*Letting* others help you" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of strength).
- 2Object
I enjoy letting my friends use my car.
I enjoy letting my friends use my car.
- "*Letting* my friends use my car" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*letting* my friends use my car).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of letting others down.
She has a fear of letting others down.
- "Of *letting* others down" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *letting* others down).
Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects
The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects
Example
They agreed to let him join their team.
She promised to let me stay at her place.
He hopes to let his dog run freely in the park.
We want to let our guests choose their own seats.
I decided to let my children watch a movie.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids letting his emotions control his actions.
They recommend letting the dough rise for an hour.
I am considering letting my hair grow long.
Do you mind letting me finish my sentence?
Can you imagine letting go of all your worries?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to let her children explore and learn. She likes letting her children explore and learn.
We started to let our employees work remotely. We started letting our employees work remotely.
He began to let his sister use his car. He began letting his sister use his car.
