What is let alone?

Let alone is an idiom in English that means "not to mention" or "much less." It is used to emphasize the improbability of something by referencing something else that is even less likely. It introduces something that is even more unlikely than the already mentioned thing.

Here's a breakdown:

• Meaning: Indicates something is even less likely or possible than something else already stated.

• Structure: Generally follows this pattern: [Negative Statement], let alone [Even More Difficult/Improbable Thing]. Sometimes the negative statement can be implicit.

• Usage: Used to add emphasis and highlight the unlikelihood of the second item.

• Examples:

  • "I can't afford a car, let alone a <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/luxury%20car">luxury car</a>." (It's improbable I can afford a car, and even more improbable I can afford a luxury one.)
  • "He can't even boil an egg, let alone cook a <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/gourmet%20meal">gourmet meal</a>." (He can't perform a simple task, and is far less likely to perform a complex one.)
  • "She wouldn't walk across the street to help him, let alone <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/travel%20across%20the%20country">travel across the country</a>." (Even a small act of help is unlikely, a larger one is even more so.)

• Emphasis: The phrase let alone strongly emphasizes the impossibility or unlikelihood of the second thing.

In essence, it amplifies a negative statement by pointing out something even more improbable.