Let alone Meaning in English
expression
ˈɫɛt/ /əˈɫoʊn
LET-uh-LOHN
lˈɛt/ /ɐlˈəʊn
LET-uh-LOHN
Definition
Used to emphasize that something is even less likely or possible than another thing already mentioned; means 'not to mention' or 'much less'.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and commonly used in both speech and writing. Structure: state something unlikely, then 'let alone' something even less likely. Never starts a sentence. Sometimes confused with 'let alone that', which is incorrect.
Spanish: ni hablar de - y mucho menosPortuguese (BR): quanto mais - nem pensar emPortuguese (PT): quanto mais - nem pensar emChinese (Simplified): 更不用说 - 更別說Chinese (Traditional): 更不用說 - 更別說Hindi: तो दूर की बात हैArabic: فما بالك بـ - ناهيك عنBengali: ততোধিক - তো দূরের কথাRussian: не говоря уже о - тем болееJapanese: まして（〜ない）Vietnamese: chưa nói đến - huống chiKorean: 더군다나 - 하물며Turkish: bırak ...'i, ... bir yanaUrdu: چہ برسہIndonesian: apalagi - terlebih lagi
Example Sentences
I can't afford a bike, let alone a car.
basic
He can't swim, let alone surf.
basic
Most kids can't cook, let alone make bread from scratch.
basic
I barely have time to eat breakfast, let alone cook dinner every night.
natural
Some people don't own a smartphone, let alone a computer.
natural
I can't remember what I did last week, let alone last year!
natural