An English professor told me that "let go of" is only colloquial usage and the correct form is "let go off." But I do not seem to find an authentic source for his assertion. Could any of you justify (or refute) his statement?
2007-06-27 23:36:31 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
For a context of this phrase, look at my essay: http://code.nearfar.org/grad/essays/i1.txt
2007-06-27 23:51:24 · update #1
My native language is not English and my professor is also an Indian. However, he has an excellent knowledge of British English.
2007-06-27 23:54:10 · update #2
You are correct in your context:
``...He let go of whatever he knew to discover what he called the Middle Way that would eventually lead him to consummation in spiritual knowledge. Had the Buddha held his view tenaciously, he would not have come to enlightenment. I would construe this as ``To learn is to let go of what we already know of."
However, in that last sentence you should eliminate the final "of." It is unneeded. One is getting rid of the knowledge of the thing being let go, not the thing itself.
If you were referring to a firecracker you allowed to explode, then "let go off" would be an appropriate phrase.
2007-07-02 18:04:03 · answer #1 · answered by Wordsmythe 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"Let go of" is correct.
"Let go off" is neither correct nor even colloquial! Completely wrong, in other words, doesn't make sense, never used at all even as slang!
What context is this in? Not that it makes any difference, but just in case you're trying to say something different than what I think you are. What is your native language?
ADD: In this context in your essay, DEFINITELY "let go of". I am 100% certain. I asked about your native language just in case it was a language I knew, so that I could check against the verb you wanted in your own language. But your essay told me you were using the one I thought you were, so it doesn't matter - although I am still interested to know!
Incidentally, does your English language matter so much in your essay? It's just that you are having quite a few grammar difficulties I could help you with if you want to know about them? I have done a lot of editing/proof-reading and know what I am talking about, I can also explain the reasons if you would find it helpful. I hope you take this in the spirit it is intended - as constructive criticism! Really it is pretty good for a non-native speaker.
2007-06-28 06:39:57 · answer #2 · answered by piano_kath 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well, I share the belief of others here that your professor is totally wrong.
He does, however, have a lot of company, which I found by searching Google for "let go off."
A lot of the links that come up are from India or Denmark...could be something regional developed in those areas. I can't really call the variation wrong if a whole country is doing it. In the US, though, with the meaning you mentioned, only "let go of" works.
PS: In the sentence, ``To learn is to let go of what we already know of," I think the last "of" is possible, but the sentence is easier to understand without it.
PSS: Oh, sorry. I see Wordsmythe already mentioned the last point above.
2007-07-04 07:41:18 · answer #3 · answered by Insanity 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your use of "let go of" would seem correct. In your sense "let go" works as a verb. You have relinquished your grip on something (whether physical or mental) therefore you have let go "of" it. The "it" being the object of the action to "let go" Also, keep in mind that it may still be possible that in certain parts of the world "off" may also be correct. However in today's society, I think "of" is the more acceptable answer. "He got let go off the job" is about the only way "off" works that I can think of, and I'm not really sure if that is proper English. In that case it's past tense. The 3rd possibility is to drop the "of" and simply say "let go". The fact that your prof. is Indian probably means his English comes from Britain, where terminologies are different from the rest of the English speaking world. Eg: boot, bonnet=trunk,hood of a car
2007-07-05 22:16:42 · answer #4 · answered by uglytruck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I was going to say, "let go off" sounds more like British, than American English. So, if you professor teaches British English, it doesn't surprise me that he considers American English to be colloquial.
2007-07-05 19:56:32 · answer #5 · answered by David T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The correct usage is let go of...but I'd use give up instead.
2007-07-02 14:32:42 · answer #6 · answered by merrybodner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let go of is the right meaning and it makes more sense! the other doesn't make sense to my point of view and to many others too!
2007-07-06 00:35:26 · answer #7 · answered by haven s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let go off
2007-07-06 06:13:38 · answer #8 · answered by raj p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Piano.. if you are a language geek then you should know your grammar is incorrect.
"What context is this in?" should be "In which context is this?"
2007-07-04 19:12:21 · answer #9 · answered by dmunchow1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let go of i think...because you let go of something...let go off doesn't make sense to me.
2007-06-28 06:40:13 · answer #10 · answered by shiv 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋