Let's
A1 · BeginnerImperativesLet's go. Let's not argue. 'Let's' is short for 'Let us' — an imperative that proposes an action for you and the listener together.
What you'll learn
- 'Let's' = 'Let us' — grammatically an imperative of 'let', proposing an action for the speaker and listener together
- 'Let's' is followed directly by the base form of the verb
- The negative is the fixed form 'Let's not' + base verb — never 'Don't let's' or 'Let's don't'
- A short response to a 'Let's' suggestion is simply 'Yes, let's' / 'OK, let's' / 'No, let's not'
A suggestion that includes you
'Let's' is short for 'Let us' and proposes doing something together — it's grammatically an imperative, but instead of commanding the listener alone, it includes the speaker too.
The negative: 'Let's not'
'Let's' has one fixed negative form — 'Let's not' + base verb. The negative particle goes right after 'Let's', not before it and not split off with 'don't'.
Responding to a 'Let's' suggestion
A short reply to a 'Let's' suggestion just repeats 'let's' on its own, after yes/no/OK — never with an extra subject.
Real English
Watch out
'Let's' is followed directly by the base form of the verb — never 'to'.
'Let's' has one fixed negative — 'Let's not' — never 'Don't let's' or 'Let's don't'.
The short response to a 'Let's' suggestion is just 'let's' by itself — no extra subject in front.
Real life — Deciding what to do
"I'm starving. Let's order pizza tonight."
"Sounds good — let's not cook after that long day."
"Exactly. Let's just relax instead."
"Yes, let's. I'll call it in."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct negative sentence
Choose the correct negative sentence.
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct negative sentence
Choose the correct negative sentence.
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct short response
'Let's watch a movie.' — Choose the correct short response.
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 8 · Choose the correct negative sentence
Choose the correct negative sentence.
Exercise 9 · Turn into a 'Let's' suggestion
Turn into a 'Let's' suggestion: 'We should try that new café.'
Exercise 10 · Turn into a negative 'Let's' suggestion
Turn into a negative 'Let's' suggestion: 'We should not wait any longer.'
Exercise 11 · Sort into groups
0 / 6 sorted
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Choose the correct sentence.
You learned
- 'Let's' = 'Let us', an imperative-family suggestion that includes the speaker.
- 'Let's' is followed directly by the base form of the verb.
- The negative is the fixed form 'Let's not' + base verb.
- A short response is just 'Yes, let's' / 'OK, let's' / 'No, let's not'.
Related grammar lessons
Positive and Negative Imperatives
Learn the imperative — the base form of a verb, with no subject, used for commands, instructions, and warnings — and its negative with 'don't'.
Giving Instructions
Learn how to combine imperatives with sequencing words — first, then, next, after that, finally — to give clear, multi-step instructions.
Polite Requests
Learn two ways to soften a bare command into a polite request — adding 'please', and attaching a question tag like 'would you?' or 'will you?'
There Is & There Are
Learn 'there is/are' — the construction English uses to introduce that something exists, with 'there' as an empty placeholder subject.