Cool MateFree vs You just let the enemy go
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Free
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
You just let the enemy go
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Free
| Free | You just let the enemy go | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/friː/","/ˈfriːə(r)/","/ˈfriːɪst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/friː/","/ˈfriːər/","/ˈfriːɪst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ dʒʌst lɛt ði ˈɛnəmi ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //ju dʒʌst lɛt ði ˈɛnəmi ɡoʊ// |
| Meaning | Not costing money or not being controlled by someone. | You allowed the enemy to leave. |
| Example | The concert tickets are free for everyone. | You just let the enemy go after negotiations failed. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, keep something, completely, entirely, totally, be, seem, become, completely, be, come, absolutely, completely, entirely, for free, free of charge, for, be, feel, seem, completely, entirely, quite, from, be, feel, seem, completely, entirely, quite, from, be, roam, run, completely, entirely, totally, be, roam, run, completely, entirely, totally, be, become, remain, completely, entirely, totally, be, roam, run, completely, entirely, totally | let someone go, let it go, let go of fear |
| Antonyms | expensive, costly | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'free of' which implies absence instead of no cost., Using with continuous tenses incorrectly, e.g., 'I am freeing my weekend.' | Confused with 'let' vs 'let's' (let's is informal suggestion)., Incorrect form: using 'letted' instead of 'let'., Using with wrong verb form (should be base form after let). |
| Usage notes | Use 'free' in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in a context where it implies lack of value or worth. | Used in contexts of permission or allowance. Avoid in formal writing. Common in everyday conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Free vs You just let the enemy go
What's the difference between Free and You just let the enemy go?
Free: Not costing money or not being controlled by someone. You just let the enemy go: You allowed the enemy to leave.
Which is more common: Free and You just let the enemy go?
Free is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Free: The concert tickets are free for everyone. You just let the enemy go: You just let the enemy go after negotiations failed.
Can I use Free and You just let the enemy go interchangeably?
Not always. Free and You just let the enemy go are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.