Do we let him stay vs Grant

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Do we let him stay

Top 1,000 (very common)

Grant

FormalTop 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most formal: GrantMost common: Do we let him stay
 Do we let him stayGrant
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //lɛt hɪm steɪ//🇺🇸 //lɛt hɪm steɪ//🇬🇧 /["/ɡrɑːnt/","/ɡrɑːnts/","/ˈɡrɑːntɪd/","/ˈɡrɑːntɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡrænt/","/ɡrænts/","/ˈɡræntɪd/","/ˈɡræntɪŋ/"]/
MeaningAllow him to remain.To give something, especially officially.
ExampleDo we let him stay for dinner?The teacher decided to grant the students extra time for their assignment.
RegisterNeutralFormal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-B2
Part of speechverb
Collocationslet someone stay, let him stay, let them stayexpressly, specifically, automatically, agree to, decide to, refuse to, expressly, specifically, automatically, agree to, decide to, refuse to
Antonyms-revoke, withhold
Common mistakesConfusing 'let' with 'allow' in formal contexts., Using the wrong verb form after 'let'., Overusing in formal writing.Confused with 'granted' which is the past tense., Using 'grant' without an object., Mixing up 'grant' with 'gift', thinking they are interchangeable.
Usage notesUse 'let' in informal contexts to indicate permission; it's less formal than 'permit'.Typically used in formal contexts such as legal or educational settings. Avoid in casual conversations.

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Do we let him stay
Grant

Frequently asked questions: Do we let him stay vs Grant

What's the difference between Do we let him stay and Grant?

Do we let him stay: Allow him to remain. Grant: To give something, especially officially.

Which is more formal: Do we let him stay and Grant?

Grant is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Do we let him stay and Grant?

Do we let him stay is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Do we let him stay: Do we let him stay for dinner? Grant: The teacher decided to grant the students extra time for their assignment.

Can I use Do we let him stay and Grant interchangeably?

Not always. Do we let him stay and Grant 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.

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