'Don't let's discuss it' versus 'Let's not discuss it'

[Tom]

Hi

Could you please tell me if the following sentences are same?

1- Don't let's discuss it.
2- Let's not discuss it.

Tom

[Pamela]

I think, Tom, that in your first sentence you ask someone not to let you all discuss that (something like a command)while in your second sentence you give an idea, offer to anyone(all of you) not discussing that :wink:

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

The sentences are synonymous to me. Sentence 2 sounds somewhat more formal, though.

But you left out the third possibility:

3- Let's don't discuss it. :D

Amy
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[Canadian45]

I think that "Don't let's discuss it." and "Let's don't discuss it." are both awful sentences; at least they sound very bad to me.

I would say "Don't let us discuss it." and "Let's not discuss it." respectively instead of the above.

I think that I have never heard "let's" and "don't" used together but apparently some people do use them together.

Does anyone agree with me?

[Tom]

A lot of thanks to all of you!

Amy, do you use all these forms or do you also, like canadian45, do not approve of the following sentences?

1- Let's don't discuss it.
2- Don't let's discuss it.

Tom

[Alan]

Hi Tom (respects to Amy),

Don't like 'Let's don't discuss it'. To my old ear it sounds dead wonky!

A
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Tom]

[Yankee]

[Tofu]

"Let's not..." is grammatically correct both in American and British English. Some people say "Let's don't..." in American English and "Don't let's..." in British English to mean "Let's not..." Am I correct?

[Beeesneees]

Like Alan, I've heard 'don't let's...' (though wouldn't use it).
I can't speak for AmEng - but Yankee can!
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Cheers m' dears!

[Tofu]

Thank you, B.

[Esl_Expert]

Hi Tofu,

Since Yankee is no longer permitted to speak as Yankee, I'll speak for her. ;-)

Don't let's sounds unusual to me, and Yankee's comment to Tom about Let's don't was just a friendly joke to Tom. I personally never use either one of those -- and neither does Yankee. lol

Let's not is what I would expect people here in North America to use.

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"A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in." ~ Frederick the Great

[Tofu]

Thank you, Amy.