can be left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is permissible to be left behind or not taken along. Example: "The items that are not needed for the trip can be left at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They can be left in Dubai.

The New Yorker

What can be left out?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How much can be left?

The New York Times

Options not understood can be left unchanged.

Columbia University

No stone can be left unturned.

Cornell University

Tributes to Trewin can be left online.

The Guardian - Books

"The children can be left at home.

The Guardian

No skin can be left exposed.

The New York Times

Those can be left for another day and another phone.

Stanford University

Furniture can be left and is freshly painted.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Infected cows can be left unquarantined on farms for weeks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be left" in technical writing, clearly specify what the subject is and under what conditions it "can be left" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "can be left" without context. Instead of saying "details can be left out", specify which details and under what circumstances they "can be left" out.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be left" functions as a passive construction indicating possibility or permission. It suggests that an action of leaving something is permissible. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

17%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be left" is a grammatically sound and versatile passive construction, as validated by Ludwig AI. It signals permissibility or possibility regarding the act of leaving something behind or omitting it. Its usage spans across News & Media, Academia, and Wiki contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what "can be left" and under what circumstances, to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be omitted

Direct synonym indicating something is permissible to leave out.

can remain

Highlights the option for something to stay as it is.

can be disregarded

Indicates something is acceptable to ignore or not consider.

may be omitted

Emphasizes the permissibility of omitting something.

is allowed to remain

Emphasizes that something is permitted to stay.

may remain

Focuses on the possibility of something staying in its current state.

is permissible to leave

Formally states the allowance of leaving something.

need not be included

Suggests something is not required and can be left out.

may be disregarded

Suggests something does not need attention and can be ignored.

is not essential

Indicates something is not necessary and can be dispensed with.

FAQs

How to use "can be left" in a sentence?

The phrase "can be left" is used to indicate that something is permissible to be left behind or not taken along. For example: "The items that are not needed for the trip "can be left" at home".

What can I say instead of "can be left"?

You can use alternatives like "may be omitted", "can be omitted", or "may remain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can be left" or "can leave"?

The choice depends on the meaning. "Can leave" implies an ability to depart, while "can be left" means something is permissible to remain or be omitted.

What's the difference between "can be left" and "must be left"?

"Can be left" suggests it is optional or permissible, while "must be left" implies it is required or mandatory to leave something behind.