let's and let us

[Anonymous]

"let's" is a short form of "let us", but does it have the same meaning? When is it better to say "let us" and not "let's"?

[Casiopea]

"let's" is a short form of "let us", but does it have the same meaning? When is it better to say "let us" and not "let's"?

They carry the same general meaning. Let us, though, is more emphatic; used for emphasis, and/or used formally.

[alex_j]

"Let's" is commonly used in modern English when you say:
Let's do something...
eg. Let's...play football, go to the cinema, have a pint down the pub, etc.

No one uses the original "Let us" form in this context anymore unless they are aristocracy!
eg. "I say old chap - let us go boating upon the river this afternoon what what!"

"Let us" is still used but in a different context and to mean "allow/permit us".
eg. allow us...to do something
...Let us in (to the house), Let us help you, etc.

[Jaguar]

Is -Let's- also a 'question tag'?

Let's go for a walk.
Yes, let's.

Jag