Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Negative imperative of let’s

The negative of let’s is most typically let’s not. Less frequently, don’t let’s may

occur:

Let’s not be silly about it.

Don’t let’s confuse the issue.

In rather formal styles, let us not or do not let us may occur:

[Trade Union Annual Conference speech]

Let us not forget that we’re not in business to remain in perpetual opposition. 

[Trade Union Annual Conference speech]

Colleagues, 

do not let us shirk from our responsibilities to our fellow workers.

EXCLAMATIVE CLAUSES

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Exclamatives consist of phrases with what and how (or a clause with how)

followed by a subject – verb – 

X

construction. 

They usually express a reaction of surprise or shock or the experience of a

strong impression on the part of the speaker.