What Does “Let sb in” Mean?
“Let sb in” means to allow someone to enter a place, usually by opening a door or gate for them.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “let sb in” is commonly used in everyday English to describe the action of permitting someone to come inside a building or room. Understanding the “let sb in meaning” helps learners communicate clearly when talking about opening access to a place for another person. It is a simple yet practical expression that can be used in various situations, from letting a friend into your house to allowing a visitor into an office. This phrase is easy to use and appears frequently in both spoken and written English.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: let somebody in
- Type: Transitive
- Level: A2
- Short meaning: Allow someone to enter
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Let sb in” is a separable phrasal verb. This means the object (sb) can come between “let” and “in” or after the entire phrase.
Patterns:
- Let + somebody + in (correct)
- Let + in + somebody (incorrect)
Examples:
- She let him in.
- They let the guests in.
How to Use “Let sb in”?
You use “let sb in” when you want to say that someone is allowed to enter a place. It is often used when someone knocks on a door or waits outside. You might say this when opening your home, office, or any other place where entry is controlled.
It can also be used figuratively, meaning to allow someone to be part of a group or to share personal feelings.
Examples
Here are some natural examples of “let sb in in a sentence”:
- When I heard the knock, I quickly let my friend in.
- The security guard let the delivery man in after checking his ID.
- She was hesitant at first, but eventually let him in her heart.
- Can you let the kids in? It’s cold outside.
- The receptionist let me in after I showed my appointment confirmation.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse the word order or forget to include the object. Here are some incorrect versus correct examples:
- Incorrect: Let in him.
Correct: Let him in. - Incorrect: Let in the guests.
Correct: Let the guests in. - Incorrect: Let in.
Correct: Let someone in (object needed).
Differences / Synonyms
“Let sb in” is similar to “allow sb to enter” or “open the door for sb.” However, “let sb in” is more informal and commonly used in everyday speech.
Compare with:
- Let sb in: Allow someone to enter physically or figuratively.
- Let sb out: Allow someone to leave.
- Admit sb: More formal, often used in official contexts.
- Invite sb in: Suggests a polite or formal welcome.
Common Collocations
“Let sb in” often pairs with words related to people and places. Here are some common collocations:
- Let the guests in – allow visitors to enter
- Let the children in – allow kids to come inside
- Let the delivery person in – allow a courier to enter
- Let someone in the house – allow entry to a home
- Let someone in the room – allow entry to a room
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of let sb in:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “let sb in”:
Tom: I forgot my keys. Can you let me in?
Anna: Sure! I’m opening the door now.
Tom: Thanks for letting me in.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) She let in him to the party.
- b) She let him in to the party.
- c) She let in to him the party.
- d) She let him to in the party.
Answer: b) She let him in to the party.
FAQs
- Q: Can “let sb in” be used figuratively?
A: Yes, it can mean allowing someone to be emotionally close to you. - Q: Is “let sb in” formal or informal?
A: It is mostly informal but widely accepted in everyday English. - Q: Can I say “let me in” without specifying a place?
A: Yes, it is understood you want to enter a place. - Q: What is the difference between “let sb in” and “invite sb in”?
A: “Let sb in” means allow entry, while “invite sb in” suggests a polite or formal welcome. - Q: Is the object always a person?
A: Usually yes, but it can also be animals or groups of people.
