are left blank

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are left blank" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when something is left as blank or without information. For example, "The details of the customer's address are left blank."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Most of the pages are left blank.

University of California, Berkeley

Written portions have one sentence or are left blank.

The Washington Post

Areas of doubtful information are left blank or are drawn with broken lines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Generally letters are left blank, or outlined, at the end of a new Torah.

The New York Times

The leftmost 80 pixels (x 0~80, y 0~480) are left blank for showing "white wins", while rightmost 80 pixels are for black.

Cornell University

Until the final panel of Simmonds's strip, Glen's wire-rimmed glasses are left blank and the effect is funny in itself.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

What women thought about contraception is left blank.

The Economist

Beyond that, the dynamic of the marriage is left blank.

The New York Times - Books

Two columns were left blank on each plate.

Nature

Some of the important provisions have been left blank.

The Times

The rest of the ballots were left blank or nullified.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are left blank", ensure the context clearly indicates what is expected to be filled in and why it is not.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying what items or fields "are left blank". For example, instead of saying "Some fields are left blank", specify "Some fields on the form are left blank by applicants who do not have the required information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are left blank" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that certain fields or areas lack content. This is supported by Ludwig's examples where the phrase describes missing information in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are left blank" is a versatile passive verb phrase commonly used to describe the absence of content in various contexts, from scientific documents to news articles. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to indicate missing information. While suitable for a wide range of registers, it's essential to maintain clarity by specifying precisely what "are left blank". Related phrases like ""are unfilled"" or ""remain empty"" can provide alternatives, but "are left blank" remains a clear and effective choice for many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are unfilled

Replaces "left blank" with a single adjective indicating the absence of content.

remain empty

Emphasizes the continuing state of being empty.

are not completed

Focuses on the action of not completing something, implying a lack of information.

are unaddressed

Suggests a lack of attention or action towards something, resulting in it being empty.

are not filled out

Similar to "are not completed" but specifically refers to filling in forms or documents.

are devoid of content

A more formal way of saying something lacks information or substance.

are left open

Indicates that a space or field has not been filled and remains available.

are left unpopulated

Similar to "are unfilled" but implies a lack of inhabitants or data entries.

are left untouched

Suggests that something has not been modified or altered, including being filled in.

are left as is

Emphasizes that no changes or additions have been made, including filling in information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the phrase "are left blank"?

Alternatives include "are unfilled", "remain empty", or "are not completed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "are left blank" in writing?

Use "are left blank" when describing fields, spaces, or sections that should contain information but "remain empty". This can apply to forms, documents, or data sets.

What does "are left blank" imply about the information that should be there?

It implies that the information is missing, either intentionally or unintentionally. It suggests that there's a space or field where data is expected, but it "remains empty".

Is there a more formal alternative to "are left blank"?

Yes, a more formal alternative is "are devoid of content". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional writing.