let alone

Meanings

1. 1conjunctionfixed phrase

   Used after a negative statement to show that something bigger or harder is even less likely.

   Grammar: Comes after a negative clause: he can't walk, let alone run.

   Patterns

   • can't do something, let alone do something else

   I can't boil an egg, let alone cook a dinner party.

   She hardly speaks to her neighbors, let alone invites them over.

   They can't afford a car, let alone a house.

2. 2phrasephrasal verb

   To leave someone or something without interfering.

   Grammar: Written as let someone alone, with the person between the words.

   Patterns

   • let someone alone

   Let the dog alone and he will calm down.

   Please let me alone for an hour.

   The teacher told them to let her alone while she thought.

Common combinations

never mind, let alone

He never reads, let alone writes.

can't walk, let alone run

The baby can't walk, let alone run.

hardly, let alone

I hardly know him, let alone trust him.

don't, let alone

I don't have time to eat, let alone cook.

Synonyms and how they differ

not to mention

Not to mention adds more things in a positive list, while let alone follows a negative claim.

much less

Much less is a close match but a little more formal.

still less

Still less is formal and slightly old-fashioned.

never mind

Never mind is more casual and can start a sentence.

Word family

let verb

to allow

alone adjective

without other people

leave alone phrase

to not disturb

Commonly confused: let alone or leave alone?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “let alone”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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