let alone

== English == === Alternative forms === (eggcorn) let along, yet alone === Pronunciation === === Conjunction === let alone (idiomatic, chiefly in the negative) Much less; to say nothing of; used after one negative clause to introduce another, usually broader and more important clause, whose negation is implied by the negation of the first. However either of these instances mentioned can be applied with the use of let alone. (idiomatic, chiefly in the positive, rare) Not to mention, as well as; used after one item, to introduce a further item which is entailed by the first. ==== Usage notes ==== Sometimes used with the order of items reversed. ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== a fortiori ==== References ==== Charles J. Fillmore, Paul Kay, Catherine O'Connor (September 1988) "Regularity and idiomaticity in grammatical constructions: The case of let alone" Language (Vol.64 No.3) pp.501-538 Mark Liberman (24 February 2011) "Much less/Or even" Language Log E. Ward Gilman (editor) Merriam–Webster's Dictionary of English Usage p.596, Merriam–Webster, 1994 →ISBN. === Verb === let alone (third-person singular simple present lets alone, present participle letting alone, simple past and past participle let alone) (transitive) To leave alone, let be; to stop bothering. Synonym: leave alone (transitive, colloquial, dated) To rely on (a person) to do something. 1838, Marguerite Countess of Blessington, The Works of Lady Blessington (page 223) Oh! let him alone for that. He's the boy that can get out of a scrape. ==== Derived terms ==== let it alone ==== Translations ====