has been left blank

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been left blank" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to indicate that something has been omitted from a sentence. For example: John filled out the form, but the last section of the document has been left blank.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The scroll underneath has been left blank, "for the woman I fall for", and has yet to find, outside of oil paints and canvas.

Independent

On the foundation's tax forms for the last two years, the line for listing "payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state or local public officials" has been left blank.

The New York Times

EU officials have also prepared a draft document for the leaders to discuss at the summit - but the end date of the delay has been left blank for the EU leaders to fill in once deliberations have ended.

BBC

The following example represents the dialing sequence of a phone call to Sydney, Australia from New York, USA: (The local phone number has been left blank).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Some of the important provisions have been left blank.

The Times

Some spots have been left blank, and others languish with outdated ads for movies.

The New York Times

The father's name had been left blank on the birth certificate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The two had with them the draft of a "fairness opinion letter" in which the price had been left blank.

Harvard University

Pollock often dispensed with details; for example, in these drawings the faces for the most part have been left blank.

The New York Times - Arts

Instead of fighting Superman's innocence, they chose to embrace it, to delve deeper into the mythology and fill in the spaces that had been left blank.

The New York Times - Arts

Sections for family details in the staff cards have been left blank, and a man's death might be recorded in the ledger with nothing more than a strikethrough line across his salary entry.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been left blank" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates why the information is missing, especially if it's unexpected. Consider adding a brief explanation.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows why a field or section "has been left blank". Briefly state the reason (e.g., "Information not available") to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been left blank" functions as a descriptive statement indicating that a space or field that was meant to be filled with information remains empty. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been left blank" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable way to indicate that information is missing from a particular field or space. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase sees common usage across diverse sources, including news, scientific publications, and academic writings. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral tone appropriate for most professional contexts. When employing this phrase, it is advisable to clarify the reasoning behind the omission to ensure clarity and avoid potential reader confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not filled in

Specifically refers to not completing a form or document.

was intentionally left empty

Emphasizes the deliberate nature of leaving something without content.

has been omitted

Focuses on the act of intentionally removing something.

has been excluded

Highlights that something was deliberately not included.

remained uncompleted

Highlights the state of being unfinished.

has not been addressed

Focuses on the lack of attention or action given to something.

has been disregarded

Implies that something was ignored or not taken into consideration.

is conspicuously absent

Highlights that the absence is noticeable or remarkable.

was skipped over

Indicates a quick or unintentional omission.

has been kept open

Suggests an intentional possibility of filling at a later stage.

FAQs

How can I use "has been left blank" in a sentence?

You can use "has been left blank" to indicate that a particular section, field, or space in a document or form has not been filled in. For instance, "The field for the previous address "has been left blank" because the applicant is a first-time home buyer."

What's the difference between "has been left blank" and "has been omitted"?

"Has been left blank" typically refers to a space that was intended to be filled but wasn't, while "has been omitted" implies a deliberate exclusion of something. You might say "The address field "has been left blank"", but "The controversial details "have been omitted" from the report."

Are there more formal alternatives to "has been left blank"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "was not completed", "remained unfilled", or "was intentionally left empty" as more formal alternatives to "has been left blank".

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

It's appropriate to use "has been left blank" when you need to clearly state that certain information is missing from a form, document, or data set, especially when the absence of that information might raise questions or need clarification.