Cool MateFree vs Let __ go yesterday
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Free
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Let __ go yesterday
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Free
| Free | Let __ go yesterday | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/friː/","/ˈfriːə(r)/","/ˈfriːɪst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/friː/","/ˈfriːər/","/ˈfriːɪst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lɛt ˈɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //lɛt ɡoʊ// |
| Meaning | Not costing money or not being controlled by someone. | To allow someone to leave or be free. |
| Example | The concert tickets are free for everyone. | I had to let him go yesterday after our discussion. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| 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 someone go, let go of control, let it go, let things go, let go of the past |
| Antonyms | expensive, costly | - |
| 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.' | Confused with 'leave' as a more formal alternative., Using 'let' without an object., Incorrectly using past tense with 'let' in ongoing situations. |
| 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 go' with permission contexts. Avoid in formal writing, as it can sound too casual. |
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Frequently asked questions: Free vs Let __ go yesterday
What's the difference between Free and Let __ go yesterday?
Free: Not costing money or not being controlled by someone. Let __ go yesterday: To allow someone to leave or be free.
Which is more common: Free and Let __ go yesterday?
Free is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Free: The concert tickets are free for everyone. Let __ go yesterday: I had to let him go yesterday after our discussion.
Can I use Free and Let __ go yesterday interchangeably?
Not always. Free and Let __ go yesterday 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.