Cool MateFree vs Let
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Free
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Let
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Free | Let | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/friː/","/ˈfriːə(r)/","/ˈfriːɪst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/friː/","/ˈfriːər/","/ˈfriːɪst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/let/","/lets/","/ˈletɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/let/","/lets/","/ˈletɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Not costing money or not being controlled by someone. | to allow someone to do something |
| Example | The concert tickets are free for everyone. | Let me help you with that bag. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | verb |
| Collocations | be, keep something, completely, entirely, totally, be, seem, become, completely, be, come, absolutely, completely, entirely, for free, free of charge, for, be, feel, seem, completely, entirely, quite, from, be, feel, seem, completely, entirely, quite, from, be, roam, run, completely, entirely, totally, be, roam, run, completely, entirely, totally, be, become, remain, completely, entirely, totally, be, roam, run, completely, entirely, totally | let me know, let it go, let someone down, let the cat out of the bag, let off steam |
| Antonyms | expensive, costly | forbid, prevent, stop |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'free of' which implies absence instead of no cost., Using with continuous tenses incorrectly, e.g., 'I am freeing my weekend.' | 'Let' vs 'let's': Confusing 'let' (permission) with 'let's' (suggestion)., Incorrect verb form: Forgetting to use the base form after 'let'., Using 'let' with a subject: Say 'let him go' instead of 'let him to go'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'free' in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in a context where it implies lack of value or worth. | Use 'let' when giving permission. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but more common in everyday speech than formal writing. |
Frequently asked questions: Free vs Let
What's the difference between Free and Let?
Free: Not costing money or not being controlled by someone. Let: to allow someone to do something
Are Free and Let the same CEFR level?
Free: A1, Let: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Free and Let interchangeably?
Not always. Free and Let are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.