How to Use Let Past Tense (Usage, Quiz)

What's the past tense of "let"?

The simple past tense of let is let, and the past participle is also let. Use let for both simple past and past participle forms.

Definition of let

The Oxford English Dictionary defines let as "to allow or permit someone to do something, or to not prevent something from happening." It's used in both literal and figurative senses, from granting permission to allowing natural processes to occur.

• The past tense of let is let.

• The past participle of let is let.

Verb forms of 'let'

Is "let" a regular or irregular verb?

Note: Regular verbs end in -ed in the past tense. Any other verb ending is considered irregular.

While an irregular verb, 'let' shows a highly common verb-conjugation pattern. Similar to other verbs like hurt, shut, bet and set, let uses one form for all tenses.

When to use "let" (past) vs. "let" (participle)

He let her pass.

I've let the dog out.

The participle form of a verb (shown in the second sentence) uses the auxiliary verb have as a contraction, I've.

When auxiliaries like have or had appear in the same sentence as a past participle verb form, this indicates that the verb's aspect is in the present or past perfect, and not the simple past tense.

Remember, a participle always uses a helper verb to form the complete tense or aspect. Simple tenses, on the other hand, can stand on their own.

Similar irregular verbs

While an irregular verb, 'let' shows a highly common verb-conjugation pattern. Similar to other verbs like hurt, shut, bet and set, let uses one form for all tenses.

Sentence examples: let, let, let

Synonyms & nearby words

Practice: Forms of "Let"