Cool MateGrant vs Let him do that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Grant
FormalTop 2,000 (common)B2verb
Let him do that
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Grant
| Grant | Let him do that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɡrɑːnt/","/ɡrɑːnts/","/ˈɡrɑːntɪd/","/ˈɡrɑːntɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡrænt/","/ɡrænts/","/ˈɡræntɪd/","/ˈɡræntɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lɛt hɪm duː ðæt//🇺🇸 //lɛt hɪm du ðæt// |
| Meaning | To give something, especially officially. | Allow him to do that. |
| Example | The teacher decided to grant the students extra time for their assignment. | I will let him do that if he asks nicely. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | expressly, specifically, automatically, agree to, decide to, refuse to, expressly, specifically, automatically, agree to, decide to, refuse to | let him go, let her try, let them know, let me see, let us help |
| Antonyms | revoke, withhold | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'granted' which is the past tense., Using 'grant' without an object., Mixing up 'grant' with 'gift', thinking they are interchangeable. | Confusing 'let' with 'make' - 'let' is permission, 'make' is force., Using 'letting' incorrectly, as in 'let him doing that.', Omitting 'him' and saying 'let do that.' |
| Usage notes | Typically used in formal contexts such as legal or educational settings. Avoid in casual conversations. | Used to give permission; suitable in informal or neutral contexts. Avoid in formal writing. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Grant vs Let him do that
What's the difference between Grant and Let him do that?
Grant: To give something, especially officially. Let him do that: Allow him to do that.
Which is more formal: Grant and Let him do that?
Grant is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Grant: The teacher decided to grant the students extra time for their assignment. Let him do that: I will let him do that if he asks nicely.
Can I use Grant and Let him do that interchangeably?
Not always. Grant and Let him do that 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.