Let vs. Yet — What's the Difference?

By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 30, 2024

"Let" is a verb that allows permission or causes to happen, focusing on enabling actions, whereas "yet" is an adverb or conjunction that indicates a contrast or a state continuation, often implying something has not occurred up to a certain point.

Difference Between Let and Yet

Key Differences

"Let" is used to grant permission or make a proposal, as in letting someone do something. Whereas "yet" is used to introduce a contrasting idea or to specify a time up to the present, often emphasizing delay or expectation.

In imperative sentences, "let" encourages or requests an action, for example, "Let's go" or "Let me try." On the other hand, "yet" in statements often suggests that something expected hasn't happened, such as "I haven't finished yet."

"Let" can also be used to introduce suggestions or express allowance, like "Let him speak." In contrast, "yet" as a conjunction contrasts with earlier statements, like "She is talented, yet humble."

When expressing conditions, "let" might set the stage for hypothetical scenarios, such as "Let it be known..." Conversely, "yet" can emphasize the continuation or persistence of a condition, as in "It is dark yet."

In a more passive construction, "let" allows events to unfold without interference, such as "Let the chips fall where they may." "Yet," however, often conveys an ongoing situation or a change that has not occurred, e.g., "They have yet to decide."

Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Verb

Adverb or conjunction

Usage in Sentences

To permit or allow

To indicate time continuation or contrast

Common Contexts

Permissions, proposals, enabling actions

Delays, expectations, contrasts

Tone/Implication

Enabling, suggesting

Continuity, sometimes unexpectedness

Example Sentence

"Let us consider a new approach."

"He hasn't called yet."

Compare with Definitions

Let

To allow or permit something to happen.

Let her know we've arrived.

Yet

As an intensifier meaning even.

She’s yet more beautiful in person.

Let

To make possible or give opportunity.

The open gate let the dogs escape.

Yet

Up to the present or a specified or implied time.

Are we there yet?

Let

To rent or lease property.

They let the apartment to a young couple.

Yet

Nevertheless or but.

It was raining, yet they continued the picnic.

Let

Used in expressions to propose actions.

Let's go to the movies tonight.

Yet

Used in negative contexts to indicate something has not happened.

He has yet to respond.

Let

In sports, a call indicating a replay.

The serve was a let.

Yet

To indicate additional possibilities.

And yet, there could be other reasons.

Let

To give permission or opportunity to; allow

I let them borrow the car. The inheritance let us finally buy a house. See Usage Note at leave1.

Yet

Up until the present or a specified or implied time; by now or then

I haven't told anyone else yet

Aren't you ready to go yet?

I have yet to be convinced

The congress was widely acclaimed as the best yet

Let

To cause to; make

Let the news be known.

Yet

Still; even (used to emphasize increase or repetition)

Snow, snow, and yet more snow

Yet another diet book

The rations were reduced yet again

Let

Used as an auxiliary in the imperative to express a command, request, or proposal

Let's finish the job! Let x equal y.

Yet

In spite of that; nevertheless

Every week she gets worse, and yet it could go on for years

Let

Used as an auxiliary in the imperative to express a warning or threat

Just let her try!.

Yet

But at the same time; but nevertheless

The path was dark, yet I slowly found my way

Let

To permit to enter, proceed, or depart

Let the dog in.

Yet

At this time; for the present

Isn't ready yet.

Let

To release from or as if from confinement

Let the air out of the balloon.

Let out a yelp.

Yet

Up to a specified time; thus far

The end had not yet come.

Let

To rent or lease

Let rooms.

Yet

At a future time; eventually

May yet change his mind.

Let

To award, especially after bids have been submitted

Let the construction job to a new firm.

Yet

Besides; in addition

Returned for yet another helping.

Let

To become rented or leased.

Yet

Still more; even

A yet sadder tale.

Let

To be or become assigned, as to a contractor.

Yet

Nevertheless

Young yet wise.

Let

To hinder or obstruct.

Yet

And despite this; nevertheless

She said she would be late, yet she arrived on time.

Let

Something that hinders; an obstacle

Free to investigate without let or hindrance.

Yet

Thus far; up to the present; up to some unspecified time.

Let

(Sports) An invalid stroke in tennis and other net games that requires a replay.

Yet

In negative or interrogative use, often with an expectation or potential of something happening in the future.

I haven't finished yet.

Have you finished yet?

We do not yet know what happened.

He has never yet been late for an appointment.

Let

(transitive) To allow to, not to prevent to}}.

After he knocked for hours, I decided to let him come in.

Yet

In negative imperative use, asking for an action to be delayed.

Don't switch it on yet – wait until I've reconnected the pump.

Let

(transitive) To allow to be or do without interference; to not disturb or meddle with; to leave (someone or something) alone.

Let me be!

Yet

In affirmative use: still.

He is yet breathing. (He is still breathing.)

Let

(transitive) To allow the release of (a fluid).

The physicians let about a pint of his blood, but to no avail.

Yet

At some future time; eventually.

The riddle will be solved yet.

Let

(transitive) To allow possession of (a property etc.) in exchange for rent.

I decided to let the farmhouse to a couple while I was working abroad.

Yet

Not as of the time referenced.

I’ve yet to see him. — I have not yet seen him.

I had yet to go to a convention. — I had not yet gone to a convention.

They are yet to win a single match. — They have not yet won a single match.

He seemed yet to be convinced. — He seemed not yet to have been convinced.

Let

(transitive) To give, grant, or assign, as a work, privilege, or contract; often with out.

To let the building of a bridge;

To let out the lathing and the plastering

Yet

In addition.

There are two hours yet to go until our destination.

Let

Used to introduce a first or third person imperative verb construction.

Let's put on a show!

Let us have a moment of silence.

Let me just give you the phone number.

Let P be the point where AB and OX intersect.

Yet

(degree) Even.

K-2 is yet higher than this.

Oh no! Yet more problems!

Let

To cause + bare infinitive.

Can you let me know what time you'll be arriving?

Yet

Nevertheless; however; but; despite that.

I thought I knew you, yet how wrong I was.

Let

(archaic) To hinder, prevent, impede, hamper, cumber; to obstruct (someone or something).

Yet

(obsolete) To pour.

Let

(obsolete) To prevent someone from doing something; also to prevent something from happening.

Yet

To melt; found; cast (e.g. metal, by pouring it into a mould when molten).

Let

(obsolete) To tarry or delay.

Yet

To get.

Let

The allowing of possession of a property etc. in exchange for rent.

Yet

(dialectal) A metal pan or boiler; yetling.

Let

An obstacle or hindrance.

Yet

Any one of several species of large marine gastropods belonging to the genus Yetus, or Cymba; a boat shell.

Let

(tennis) The hindrance caused by the net during serve, only if the ball falls legally.

Yet

In addition; further; besides; over and above; still.

This furnishes us with yet one more reason why our savior, lays such a particular stress acts of mercy.

The rapine is made yet blacker by the pretense of piety and justice.

Let

To retard; to hinder; to impede; to oppose.

He was so strong that no man might him let.

He who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Mine ancient wound is hardly whole,And lets me from the saddle.

Yet

At the same time; by continuance from a former state; still.

Facts they had heard while they were yet heathens.

Let

To leave; to relinquish; to abandon.

He . . . prayed him his voyage for to let.

Yet neither spins nor cards, ne cares nor frets,But to her mother Nature all her care she lets.

Let me alone in choosing of my wife.

Yet

Before some future time; before the end; eventually; in time.

Let

To consider; to think; to esteem.

Yet

Even; - used emphatically.

Men may not too rashly believe the confessions of witches, nor yet the evidence against them.

Let

To cause; to make; - used with the infinitive in the active form but in the passive sense; as, let make, i. e., cause to be made; let bring, i. e., cause to be brought.

This irous, cursed wretchLet this knight's son anon before him fetch.

He . . . thus let do slay hem all three.

Anon he let two coffers make.

Yet

Nevertheless; notwithstanding; however.

Yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Let

To permit; to allow; to suffer; - either affirmatively, by positive act, or negatively, by neglecting to restrain or prevent.

Pharaoh said, I will let you go.

If your name be Horatio, as I am let to know it is.

Yet

Up to the present time;

I have yet to see the results

Details are yet to be worked out

Let

To allow to be used or occupied for a compensation; to lease; to rent; to hire out; - often with out; as, to let a farm; to let a house; to let out horses.

Yet

Used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time;

So far he hasn't called

The sun isn't up yet

Let

To give, grant, or assign, as a work, privilege, or contract; - often with out; as, to let the building of a bridge; to let out the lathing and the plastering.

Yet

To a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons;

Looked sick and felt even worse

An even (or still) more interesting problem

Still another problem must be solved

A yet sadder tale

Let

To forbear.

Yet

Within an indefinite time or at an unspecified future time;

He will understand eventually

He longed for the flowers that were yet to show themselves

Sooner or later you will have to face the facts

In time they came to accept the harsh reality

Let

A retarding; hindrance; obstacle; impediment; delay; - common in the phrase without let or hindrance, but elsewhere archaic.

Consider whether your doings be to the let of your salvation or not.

Yet

Used after a superlative;

This is the best so far

The largest drug bust yet

Let

A stroke in which a ball touches the top of the net in passing over.

Yet

Despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession);

Although I'm a little afraid, however I'd like to try it

While we disliked each other, nevertheless we agreed

He was a stern yet fair master

Granted that it is dangerous, all the same I still want to go

Let

The most brutal terrorist group active in Kashmir; fights against India with the goal of restoring Islamic rule of India;

Lashkar-e-Toiba has committed mass murders of civilian Hindus

Let

A serve that strikes the net before falling into the receiver's court; the ball must be served again

Let

Make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen;

This permits the water to rush in

This sealed door won't allow the water come into the basement

This will permit the rain to run off

Let

Actively cause something to happen;

I let it be known that I was not interested

Let

Consent to, give permission;

She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband

I won't let the police search her basement

I cannot allow you to see your exam

Let

Cause to move; cause to be in a certain position or condition;

He got his squad on the ball

This let me in for a big surprise

He got a girl into trouble

Let

Leave unchanged;

Let it be

Let

Grant use or occupation of under a term of contract;

I am leasing my country estate to some foreigners

Common Curiosities

Why use "yet" in a statement?

To emphasize delay or expectations, or to introduce a contrast.

Is "let" ever used in a passive sense?

Yes, "let" can passively suggest allowing actions to occur without interference.

What’s the difference in tone between "let" and "yet"?

"Let" tends to be more about granting permission or suggesting, while "yet" often deals with timing or unexpected continuation.

What is the function of "let" in a sentence?

"Let" is used to permit or propose actions within a sentence.

Can "let" and "yet" be used in the same sentence?

Yes, though rare, they can coexist if the context requires both permission and temporal or contrastive elements.

How is "yet" typically used?

"Yet" indicates something hasn’t happened as expected or adds a contrasting point.

What types of verbs can follow "let"?

Typically, base forms of verbs without "to," as in "let go."

Are there idiomatic uses for "let" or "yet"?

Yes, such as "let the cat out of the bag" or "don't count your chickens yet."

How does "yet" modify the meaning of a verb?

It adds a temporal dimension, indicating the action has not occurred by the expected time.

Can "let" have a different meaning in sports?

Yes, in tennis, "let" refers to a serve that must be replayed.

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Fiza Rafique

Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

Co-written by

Urooj Arif

Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.