Use of 'Let Alone That'

Question

I m unable to understand the use of 'Let Alone That' or 'Let Alone'.

"That the performance reminded the theater critic of Groucho Marx hardly shows that the similarity was intentional, let alone that it was at the director’s instruction."

One of the official guide explanation. How the sentence "let alone that it was at the director’s instruction" is linked to the main sentence?

Pls through some light.

BM · Answer

The idiomatic phrase "let alone" is roughly equivalent "much less" to "not to mention." Think of it as a kind of emphasis to further illustrate the speaker's point. For example: "We hadn't got the money to phone home, let alone stay in a hotel." In this case, staying in a hotel is not possible. How could they? They can't even afford to phone home!

Here are some more examples:

"We have no room for another house guest, let alone for an entire family!"

"We have no room for another house guest, not to mention room for an entire family!"

"We have no room for another house guest, much less for an entire family!"

Again, housing an additional family is out of the question. They can't even handle one more person.

We can break this down into something of an equation: A + idiomatic phrase + B, where B is emphasized over A (B > A).

gurpreetsingh · Answer

Very nicely explained. You explanation is in line with your V44

. I got your point for the examples given by you that ' Let Alone' simply signifies that in equation A + idiomatic phrase + B, we can't even have A how can we have B. (Correct me if I m wrong). But I m unable to grasp my eg "That the performance reminded the theater critic of Groucho Marx hardly shows that the similarity was intentional, let alone that it was at the director’s instruction." Does it mean that - the performance itself shows that there is hardly any chance of intentionally performing similarly, how can it be at the director's instruction?

mainhoon · Answer

"That the performance reminded the theater critic of Groucho Marx hardly shows that the similarity was intentional, let alone that it was at the director’s instruction."

When I read this sentence, here is what comes to my mind: Just because the performer's performance reminded the critic of Marx does not mean that the performer's performance was intentional, not to mention that it could even have been at the director's behest. This would suggest that according to the person commenting:
- it was unlikely that the performer performed intentionally to match Marx
- it is even more unlikely that the director instructed the performer to perform so

Please correct me if I am mistaken

BM · Answer

Gurpreetsingh, I'm afraid that I have led you astray on the last part of my previous response. I have deleted the part that was incorrect. I apologize. Mainhoon's answer is the correct one.

I'm not sure why I interpreted this differently. At any rate, this is the correct answer. Still, I hope that my earlier discussion on "let alone" helped.

This is correct. And if you have any more questions, I'll make sure to answer them correctly next time.

mainhoon · Answer

bmillan01, your examples were helpful to me too. I was at 4am trying hard to think if I should go against your's, though I felt I should put forth what my mind was suggesting...

gurpreetsingh · Answer

Thanks Guys I got it now.

bmillan01 think about a retake and score 99%. I m sure prep companies will take you for high $$.lol just kidding.
Your eg's were really helpful.

Nishant1984 · Answer

Really nice explanation

Use of 'Let Alone That'

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