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Debpriya De Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Let him be

We know that 'be' is a linking verb.
Then why do we use expressions like "Let him be" or "Leave him be" ?
Shouldn't we add something after be as in "Let him be alone" ?
  

Top answer

Debpriya De We know that 'be' is a linking verb. in what context ? Shouldn't we add something after be as in "Let him be alone" ?

— Jhumjhum

  • Debpriya De We know that 'be' is a linking verb.
  • in what context ?
  • Shouldn't we add something after be as in "Let him be alone" ?
  • yes, absolutely correct use
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5 Answers
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Debpriya DeWe know that 'be' is a linking verb.
Then why do we use expressions like "Let him be" or "Leave him be" ?where did you here this ?in what context ?

Shouldn't we add something after be as
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HI,

"Let him be" is correct too! Personally I never heard of the phrase "Leave him be". In this case it's right to use "Leave her alone".
You could imagine some situations where let him be is used. I make an example.

"Let her/him be happy"
Jhumjhum
Debpriya De
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Debpriya DeWe know that 'be' is a linking verb.
Not exactly. We know that 'be' can be used and often is used as a linking verb.

Note definition 2c from www.m-w.com:

2c : to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted -- used only in infinitive form <let him be>
Debpriya DeShouldn't we add something after be
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" You don't have the required qualifications."
" How can that be ?"

How about the above usage of the "be" ?
Can we write "How can that be" to mean "How come" ?
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Debpriya DeHow about the above usage of the "be" ?
Can we write "How can that be" to mean "How come" ?
Yes, you can. Here's the paraphrase.

How can it be ( [the case / true] ) that I don't have the required qualifications.

It's a way of leaving a whole clause implied, which is easy to understand because it's just an ec
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