Cool MateLet them come vs Permit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Let them come
Top 2,000 (common)
Permit
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
| Let them come | Permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lɛt ðɛm kʌm//🇺🇸 //lɛt ðɛm kʌm// | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈmɪt/","/pəˈmɪts/","/pəˈmɪtɪd/","/pəˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈmɪt/","/pərˈmɪts/","/pərˈmɪtɪd/","/pərˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Allow others to arrive or approach. | To allow something to happen. |
| Example | During the open house, we decided to let them come whenever they wanted. | The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | let them enter, let them join, let them in | legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to, legally, generally, normally, refuse to, be designed to |
| Antonyms | - | forbid, prohibit, ban |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'let them come' with 'let them came'., Omitting the subject, saying 'let come' instead., Using 'let' incorrectly with a noun instead of a pronoun. | Confused with 'allow' - 'permit' is often more formal., Using 'permit' incorrectly in passive voice without clear subject., Using 'permit' without an object, forgetting what is being permitted. |
| Usage notes | Use in contexts where you are giving permission for someone to enter or join. It is neutral and suitable for most situations. | Use 'permit' in formal contexts, such as legal or official situations. It's less common in casual conversation, where 'let' might be more appropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: Let them come vs Permit
What's the difference between Let them come and Permit?
Let them come: Allow others to arrive or approach. Permit: To allow something to happen.
Can you show an example of each?
Let them come: During the open house, we decided to let them come whenever they wanted. Permit: The teacher will permit students to leave early if they finish their exams on time.
Can I use Let them come and Permit interchangeably?
Not always. Let them come and Permit 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.