The correct spelling of "let's continue" is often confused with "lets continue" which is not grammatically correct. The correct spelling uses an apostrophe to indicate the contraction of "let" and "us". In IPA phonetic transcription, the pronunciation of "let's continue" is /lɛts kənˈtɪnju/. The /ə/ sound is a schwa, which is an unstressed vowel sound. Remember to use the apostrophe in the contraction of "let's" to accurately represent the grammatical form.
"Let's continue" is an imperative phrase that typically denotes an invitation or suggestion to keep going or persist with a particular action, situation, or conversation. The term consists of two components: "let's" and "continue."
"Let's" is a contraction of "let us" and functions as a first-person plural pronoun. It implies inclusiveness and suggests the involvement or participation of multiple individuals in the activity or task that follows. It can be viewed as an informal and friendly way to express a collective desire or proposal.
On the other hand, "continue" is a verb that means to proceed or carry on with an ongoing process, action, or state. It suggests the continuation of an activity or event that has been started or is already in progress. When combined with "let's," it establishes a collaborative or cooperative approach, encouraging everyone involved to persevere or advance to the next step.
In summary, "let's continue" is an inviting phrase that encourages the collective continuation of a particular activity, situation, or dialogue. It indicates an inclusive approach, proposing that the speaker and others involved persevere or carry on with an ongoing action in a collaborative manner. The phrase often aims to maintain momentum, engagement, or progress in a particular endeavor.
The phrase "let's continue" is derived from the merging of two separate etymologies: "let's" and "continue".
The contraction "let's" is a contraction of "let us". "Let" traces its roots back to Old English, from the word "lǣtan", meaning "to allow" or "to permit". It is also related to the Dutch word "laten" and the German word "lassen", with similar meanings.
The word "continue" has Latin origins, coming from the verb "continuare", meaning "to join together" or "to unite". It is a compound word consisting of "con-" (meaning "together") and "tinuus" (meaning "uninterrupted").
Therefore, when these two etymologies combine, "let's continue" expresses the idea of allowing or permitting something to join together in an uninterrupted manner.