 #2 (permalink) Wed Sep 07, 2011 23:43 pm Grammar |
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(1) I hope the language professionals answer us very soon.
(2) I checked my books, and it seems that you are 100% correct: sometimes it is a verb; sometimes it is a modal.
(3) When it is a verb, it means "allow" or "permit." If a bad man locks you and a friend inside a room, you two guys will yell, "Let us go, will you!" As you can see, "let" in that sentence is the imperative of the verb "let." ("Imperative" = give an order or command. You two guys are ordering the bad guy to open the door.)
(4) When "let" is a modal, it is always part of the contraction "let's." As you know, "let's" = let + us. But it seems that most grammar books say that we now consider "let's" as a unit. That is, we consider it to be one word. Books do not know what to call this word, so some books call it a modal or quasi-modal. ("Quasi" = it acts like a modal, so we will call it a modal)
(5) When you use "let's," it is for suggestions. It does NOT mean "allow/ permit." (a) It's hot. The beach is cool, so let's go the beach, shall we?
(6) See the difference between the verb and the quasi-modal?
Children: Can we go to the beach?
Mother: No, you may not go.
Children: Let us go to the beach, will you? (Allow/permit us to go! The verb.)
Mother: You're right. I was wrong. It is super hot today. OK, let's go to the beach, shall me? (suggestion. The quasi-modal) |
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James M
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 15 May 2011
Posts: 573
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