Let go of

Question

Let go of, though considered correct, is not quite logical and must have been incorrect at one time.We say Let the flag fly or Let fly the flag but not Let fly of the flag.On this analogy, we should say Let the rope go or Let go the rope but not Let go of the rope.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

No, such analogies don't usually work in English.  Each verb has its own idiosyncrasies.

Electrum · Answer

Mister MicawberNo, such analogies don't usually work in English. Each verb has its own idiosyncrasies.

I couldn't find let go of in Shakespeare, but I did find tthis:

King John – Act 3, Scene 1

http://shakespeare.yippy.com/search?input-form=simple-billy&query=let+go+of&v%3Asources=billy-bundle&v%3Aproject=billy&character=All+Characters&title=All+Works

King John – Act 3, Scene 1. Lines: 194-197.

shakespeare.clusty.com; November 6, 2011

Constance

How can the law forbid my tongue to curse?

Cardinal Pandulph

Philip of France, on peril of a curse,
Let go the hand of that arch-heretic;
And raise the power of France upon his head,
Unless he do submit himself to Rome.

Mister Micawber · Answer

That doesn't mean that 'let go of' was incorrect 400 years ago (if we care).

Electrum · Answer

Mister MicawberThat doesn't mean that 'let go of' was incorrect 400 years ago (if we care).

It's not in King James either. We may not care, but that
was my original question. If it's not in Shakespeare or King James. it must have been considered ungrammatical.

Mister Micawber · Answer

If it's not in Shakespeare or King James. it must have been considered ungrammatical. -- I think that your logic is faulty.

Electrum · Answer

Mister MicawberIf it's not in Shakespeare or King James. it must have been considered ungrammatical. -- I think that your logic is faulty.

Given its non-occurrence in 3,000,000 words of exemplary writings and its innate illogicality,.I would surmise that it is an embalmed illiteracy from a later era. So I'll probably stop using it in my own writings.

Mister Micawber · Answer

And will you start using 'Come, let's away about it' and 'Let's on our way in silent sort'? Those are good Shakespearian expressions, too — that have been replaced with later 'illiteracies'. But of course you can do as you wish, since you will not be writing for the New York Times or other publications that commonly use the phrase:

We can't yet let go of the discussion of the Chinese model of parenting that you heard from author (ABC News)

Time to listen to silence, do breathing meditation, walk in nature, and let go of the obsessive need to keep so much information in order. (Newsweek)

Who would enforce the regime, and how, once the great powers had let go of their mightiest weapons? (Foreign Affairs)

Which she (A.) remembers as being about the things one learns to let go of. The necessity of streamlining one's activities, interests, and personal...(Literary Review)

Electrum · Answer

Mister MicawberAnd will you start using 'Come, let's away about it' and 'Let's on our way in silent sort'?[/quote
I won't be adopting any phrases from Shakespeare or the New York Times. I would never use a phrase like "let go of an obsessive need to". "Let go of " weapons? What about relinduished, abandoned, renounced, forworn?

Let go of

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