letme

Let me is a common English phrase used to request permission to perform an action or to offer to perform one. It combines the verb let, the object pronoun me, and the base form of another verb, as in let me go or let me help. The construction is widely used in everyday speech and writing.

Grammatically, let is a causative or permissive verb. The structure let + me + base verb does not take to in the infinitive, so forms like let me to explain are nonstandard. In negative expressions, the usual form is don’t let me + base verb (for example, don’t let me miss the train). In some contexts, let me can also function as a polite preface to a request or a suggestion, softening the tone of what follows.

Common uses include making offers, requests, or requests for information. Examples include let me know when you’re ready, let me think for a moment, let me explain this, and let me help you. The phrase often appears in both casual conversation and formal writing, and it can carry a range of nuances from helpfulness to insistence, depending on tone and context.

Etymologically, let comes from Old English lētan, meaning to allow or permit. The phrase has remained productive in English for centuries, appearing in both everyday speech and literary or religious contexts. In modern usage, let me remains a versatile, polite opener that signals a wish to intervene, contribute, or clarify.